Goliath may have an unusual walking style due to a neurological condition known as String Halt, but once in full gallop, the quirky action vanishes, and he competes with the best.

The gelding, part-owned by American racing figure John Stewart, is set to launch his new campaign this weekend at Sha Tin in the Group 1 QE II Cup (2000m), aiming to rebound from a sixth-place finish in the Group 1 Japan Cup (2400m) last November.

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and Goliath’s owners have targeted Hong Kong as a chance to start 2024 with a more positive result after an intense 2023 campaign.

“He looks great but a bit light after the transport,” Graffard said after inspecting Goliath in Hong Kong.

“But he is back on his feet and his work has been very good.”

Goliath will face a strong field including Prognosis, the runner-up to Via Sistina in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), and Liberty Island, who enters the race as favourite.

“We questioned ourselves on coming here after Japan,” Graffard admitted.

“It was a long journey and his first long trip after a strong season. He had tough racing so he went for a spell to start this year in Hong Kong.”

Graffard remains hopeful of a better tempo on Sunday after the Japan Cup did not play to Goliath’s strengths.

“The idea of going to Japan was to find a bit of pace but we drew barrier one and then everything went against my horse,” he said.

“It was a big experience in Japan for my horse starting in front of the grandstand so it was all new. He still managed to run decently and the plan was to drop him back in distance here. If we get a bit of pace, he is a very impressive horse.”

Regarding his String Halt, Graffard is unconcerned about its impact on race performance.

“His mechanics are good and it depends on whether (at any moment) he does it or not,” he said.

“At Ascot he was walking along and started doing it with two legs and I thought ‘oh no’.”