Maltese Cross books Derby ticket for excited Haggas team

It is 30 years since William Haggas enjoyed victory in the world’s greatest Flat race with Shaamit but this year he looks set to saddle his fifth Betfred Derby runner in the shape of Maltese Cross, who booked his place in the premier Classic with victory in today’s Listed William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial (1m 3.5f) at Lingfield Park.

Partnered by Tom Marquand, the son of 2009 Derby hero Sea The Stars pulled right away from the field along with Bay Of Brilliance inside the final furlong. After a sustained tussle, Maltese Cross (9-4) came out on top by a neck. Betfred now make Maltese Cross a 14-1 chance for glory at Epsom Downs on June 6th. 

William Haggas said; “When you run in a trial, this is what there is. This is what's around. And obviously, the team across the water (in Ireland) are pretty strong. But why can't we have a go (at the Betfred Derby)? 

“I think Tom felt he was much better today. He was a bit like me, a bit underwhelmed at Newbury. We were expecting better and it was a bit disappointing, really

“I haven't seen it properly yet as I was at the start. But he said he got there too early and then he had a bit of a fight. Ralph’s obviously ran very well and obviously is a useful horse.

“I think they pulled quite a bit clear. But, you know, whether the favourite ran his race, who knows? But we can only look at it positively and say we hope he gets to the Derby and providing he stays fit and well, he'll be there. 

“He always sweats between his hind legs. He does it when he gallops and he does it at the races. He was a little bit more up for it today, but pretty calm. The Derby will be a test mentally, but it is a test. That's the whole point of it. It's a test mentally, physically, and they've got to stay. I think the one thing he will do is stay.

“Whether he stays quick enough is anyone's guess, but I think he'll stay.”

George Waud, the winning owner, said: “We are going to the show! (the Betfred Derby).

“It's sort of inconceivable to end up with such a good one and I have to give credit to my agent Sam Haggas and my manager Gav Chengalanee. It's quite emotional actually. 

“I used to be in films. I produced a bit of theatre as well. I'm also the chairman of Old Gold Racing, which is a multi-owner syndicate business - we've got 40 horses in training, 30,000 owners now, so, you know, that's going very well. 

“All the way with this horse from Malcolm Bastard having him in pre-training to William going to see him, they just had a feeling about him.”

Successful jockey Tom Marquand added: “He was an extremely exciting horse for us over the winter, having won on his second start last year.

“At Newbury I, along with everybody in the team, expected a lot from him and that race probably left a few questions to be answered. He didn't win by far and you could have thrown a picnic rug over the first six.

“The race at Newbury was rated quite well and today he impressed me. He didn't win by far, but I think he's just starting to show his racing style. I got more of a feel for him and what he's about, and it was impressive. 

“I thought the ceiling felt like it might be after Newbury, it wasn't there, and I still don't think I quite found out where it was today, which is the bit I'm most happy about, and I'm sure William will say the same. 

“We're going to have a very, very excited owner in George Waud, and yeah, he's an extremely exciting horse. 

“He's won a trial, and he's a very interesting horse. He'll relish the trip (in the Betfred Derby) like he did today. The track's not a problem like he's shown here. Everybody thinks Newbury's a straightforward track but you have to come down the hill and around the bend and get balanced pretty quick. 

“He likes fast ground, and hopefully we'll get that. He's a little bit ready to go, and we'll find out whether he's good enough on the day.”

Having dominated the trials at Chester last week, trainer Aidan O’Brien was on the mark once again in the Listed William Hill Oaks Trial which saw Cameo (100-30) come out on top. The Wootton Bassett filly went to the front two furlongs out and she stayed on resolutely to win by four and three-quarter lengths from Prizeland. The sponsor now make her a 14-1 chance for Betfred Oaks glory at Epsom Downs on June 5th 

The winner is owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Georg von Opel and Paul Smith, son of Derrick Smith, said: “We were very happy with her today and I think the step up in trip really helped. She showed a bit of class and hit the line well. She would have to be a contender to go to the Oaks for sure.

“I think we have to get the trials out of the way – there is a trial at Naas today and there are trials next week as well. Once we get those out the way, we will have a better idea where we are going to place them and what the pecking order is.”

Winning jockey Ryan Moore said: “Today was the first time I’ve ridden her. She’s a scopey filly, and handled the track well and did everything right,

“She picked up well from a long way out and kept going. She is a filly that will get better as the year progresses. 

“She is a filly that will keep improving and you never know where they can end up but I love everything she did today and would say she will get better.”