Maltese Cross continued his fine improvement as he fended off the Coolmore brigade in the Great Voltigeur Stakes.
Following an early downpour, Derby winner Christmas Day was heavily supported into favouritism. Antigua set the early fractions, though quickly dropped away. Pierre Bonnard came through to lead on side with Christmas Day looking a danger.
However, Maltese Cross travelled strongly and despite getting racing early enough, comfortably put the race to bed. Pierre Bonnard ran gallantly for second, with Christmas Day staying on late for third. Superior Choice was perhaps stunted by the going, and reportedly hung away his chances late on.
With entries in both the Arc and the St Leger, both the coveted events remain wide open for Maltese Cross.
Speaking to the Press Association after the race, via Racing TV, William Haggas said: “We had a conversation about the Arc when Baaeed was around and I was pretty non-committal. And I’ll be the same again.
“He clearly stays very well and the St Leger is a prestigious race in its own right. So let’s not be hasty and make decisions today.”
“That was a Group One performance today” – William Haggas
William Haggas is keeping his cards close, but was more pleased with his horse justifying connections’ opinion of him. He continued: “I’ve no idea where we’re going, but I was really pleased with him and I thought today. If he won with his 5lb penalty, that was a good sign.
“I thought he came there well, Tom said he went too early, which I think he did. But he got drawn into it because Ryan set off.
“He did very well today – I think that was probably a career-best. He showed a nice turn of foot in Paris last time that we didn’t think he had. All options are open. The ground in Paris is likely to be slower than today and that’s a factor. And if it’s dry at Doncaster that’s also a factor.
“They’re two very prestigious races. Obviously one is world renowned, but the other is very prestigious to a Yorkshire-born, English trainer and owner.
“That was a Group One performance today.”
It was a second Great Voltigeur Stakes for William Haggas after Storm The Stars in 2015. He went on to finish fourth in the St Leger, before a failed stint in Australia with Chris Waller.