Newmarket, England: Trained by William Haggas, who came close to lifting the Dubai World Cup (G1) with Mukhadram twelve months ago, Graphic booked his ticket to the Godolphin Mile (G2) when going to the winners’ circle at Wolverhampton in England last month.
This tough and streetwise six-year-old was winning for a ninth time from 31 career outings as he got home a length in front of Diescentric with subsequent winner Chookie Royal back in third place.
Graphic was racing just behind the early leader early on, took command with less a furlong to go, and kept on for a game win.
The distance was 8.5 furlongs, a bit further than the Godolphin Mile, but possessing a bit of stamina is never a bad thing in this contest.
Graphic has good form over a mile, having gained five of his wins over this distance, most notably the Prix Messidor (G3) at Maisons-Laffitte outside Paris last summer. Frankie Dettori rode him on this occasion, and sent him straight to the lead from the outset. Pilot, who has run some fine races in defeat at this Carnival, finished second and Line Drummer, who had won over the same course on his previous start, was third.
Graphic put up another good performance in November, when finishing third behind Sloane Avenue and the well known filly Cladocera at Kempton Park.
He tried to make all once more and went down fighting, passing the winning post only three parts of a length behind the winner.
Graphic is a versatile runner with form over a variety of tracks, and he could well play a leading role in this event.
— The author is the editor of globeform.co.uk a Newmarket-based independent racing and handicapping publication
