Francis-Henri Graffard is “not scared” of fellow French raider Sosie as he gears Goliath up for a crack at Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) at Sha Tin.

A dual Group One winner, including the prestigious King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot last year and more recently the Grosser Preis von Baden (2,400m) in Germany, Goliath is one of the leading players for Sunday’s top-level prize.

Immortalised by his quirky stringhalt, which sees him “stomp” his left hind due to a neuromuscular condition, Goliath has certainly been catching the attention in trackwork this week as he gears up for a second crack at a big race at Sha Tin.

Graffard brought his five-year-old to April’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m), a race in which he could only manage ninth – something Graffard takes responsibility for with the benefit of hindsight.

“I think it was a mistake from myself to start the season [in the QE II Cup] with a long journey for Goliath. Over 10 furlongs with a lot of humidity, the horse was quite upset,” said Graffard.

“For an example, he weighs 30kg more than in the spring, so the horse is completely different. I was quite worried coming back to Hong Kong if I would be able to get the horse back to his best, but I think I have.

“I’m very happy with the way the horse has travelled – this time he is completely different. I’m definitely happy to be running over this trip and not in the Cup.”

He will be taking on a wide-open field this weekend which includes fellow French raider Sosie, who was last seen finishing third behind Graffard’s Daryz in the Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) in October.

It will be the first time that the pair have clashed on the racecourse, though Graffard is far from concerned about taking on Andre Fabre’s three-time Group One hero.

“The form of the race is very strong, but my horse has a very high rating and everyone knows if we have the right Goliath and the race goes well for him, he’s a really strong performer,” said Graffard.

“I should hope everything goes well for him during the race and if it does I think he can be a danger for the other horses. If my horse behaves well during the race and has a clear run, I’m not scared of [Sosie].”

Graffard also runs Quisisana in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), where she will have the unenviable task of taking on the world’s highest earning racehorse, Romantic Warrior, on home turf.

The Le Harve galloper was a cosy winner of the Group One Prix Jean Romanet (2,000m) at Deauville in August, before finding the trip too much in two subsequent starts, including a recent third in the Group One British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot in October.

This is set to be a swansong run for the five-year-old, who will be retired after Sunday’s race, but Graffard is quietly hoping a big run could get her owners to change their minds.

“Quisisana is a very nice filly and I think I made a mistake to step her up in trip – 10 furlongs suits her much better and after the Arc and the race at Ascot we really wanted to drop her back in distance,” said Graffard.

“I wanted to give it a go with her in Hong Kong and I’m very happy with her. I think any placing would be big for her and I’m looking forward to her run. I just hope there will be enough pace.

“My filly is in good form, I really like her and she moves really beautifully. The state of the turf is in good shape and I just hope for a good run.

“This will be her last start, unless she runs really well I can tell the owners to change their mind.”