Maltese Cross camp excited by Arc challenge

Given he is owned by a Hollywood film producer, it seems wholly appropriate Maltese Cross is set for a blockbuster finish to his season in the glitz and glamour of Paris next weekend.

It was after two appearances last autumn trainer William Haggas hinted owner George Waud could have a “good one” on his hands.

And after a winter pondering just what the Somerville Lodge handler meant by that assessment, the son of Sea The Stars embarked on a journey that started at Newbury and now sees him regarded as the biggest danger to defending champion Daryz in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

“If we go back to this time last year, William did say he thinks he's got a good one but we didn't know whether that would translate as a Derby runner, or something else,” said Gavin Chengalanee, Waud's long-time friend and racing adviser.

“We had a lovely Christmas speaking on the phone and thinking what does he mean by that, William was smiling, but we were also learning that there is always so much that can go wrong over a winter, so his Newbury comeback left us absolutely thrilled.”

In contrast, Haggas was not particularly thrilled with Maltese Cross' Newbury performance, but he was a lot happier following a Lingfield Derby Trial success that paved the way to Epsom and a battling second to Christmas Day in a Derby run on testing ground.

“Both Tom (Marquand, jockey) and William were a little disappointed (with Newbury) and expected more, which checked us a bit, but then the Derby Trial was impressive which brought us to that amazing run at Epsom in the Derby,” continued Chengalanee.

“For us it was a ‘wow' and beyond anything we could expect – if the Derby Trial was base camp, even being second at Epsom was special as what it told us was this horse that was bought to deliver as a four-year-old was special right now and could lead to some great days at three.”

It is somewhat ironic that in a year of drought where the mercury has been bursting out of the thermometer, the season's premier Classic was run in such gruelling conditions. But the boot could soon be on the other foot, as an autumn dry spell has brought with it the prospect of optimum underfoot conditions for the Arc.

Chengalanee said: “On the Wednesday before the Derby, I could see the number one swirling around in the bottom of the bowl (for the draw) among the three or four rattling around and sure enough it was pouring with rain outside and we were hit with that double whammy.

“But it would be amazing if it was reversed and we could get a low draw and good weather, he deserves that stroke of luck I think.

“Tom Marquand is particularly keen about sun and good ground. I think with his turn of foot the two together could be a potent weapon.”

The best example of Maltese Cross' deadly acceleration came when stating his Arc claims on Bastille Day, threading the eye of a needle for Grand Prix de Paris glory at a sun-kissed ParisLongchamp.

Chengalanee said: “His win over course and distance showed his turn of foot and his ability to get through gaps and it sticks in the memory as a positive ahead of the the Arc because if it turns out to be a big field, which is likely, and if he's drawn out wide, then again he'll have to come through traffic.

“But we can think back to the Grand Prix de Paris and him weaving his way through and also Epsom from stall one and how Tom got him to the top of Tattenham Hill in a good position and that puts a lot of confidence in our camp.

“He always runs his race and it's not like he's going to come out of the stalls and have a little sit down, he's going to be right there and he's going to get involved.”

That victory in the French capital appears to have been the ultimate deciding factor in Haggas putting his eggs in the Arc basket, foregoing the chance to correct the Classic record in the St Leger after winning the Great Voltigeur and instead priming Maltese Cross for the chance to emulate his sire in a race the trainer went all so close to winning with Sea Of Class in 2018.

“George and I are very much in the camp of, ‘you decide Mr Haggas', and all we ask is it is explained how a decision has been reached,” continued Chengalanee. “I'm delighted he didn't run in the St Leger, but George immediately comes back with, ‘he would have won it'.

“But it was the positives of going to the Arc post the Grand Prix de Paris that tipped it and it was that turn of foot really. I was biased, I always fancied the Arc, whereas George was open to both and if he had his way we'd do the St Leger and Japan Cup all in one autumn.

“I get why William has landed on this as you get one shot as a three-year-old with the weight-for-age and it's a real opportunity.

“There are so many owners of horses who have dreams of running in the Arc and then they fall away and there's a setback here or you tread on a stone there and we're not home and dry yet – we've got to get him out there and on the start line.

“But he couldn't be in better hands and although our relationship with Somerville Lodge is not that long, only a few years, each time we go down it's just an immaculate place to have your horse trained. It just fills you with confidence and they make you feel so special.”