It’s been eight years since Sea Of Class was agonisingly touched off by Enable to give William Haggas his first Arc, which he is still in search of.
Haggas has only tried twice since with Alenquer, finishing 9th in both 2021 and 2022. This weekend, Somerville Lodge fields what appears to be the leading British hope in Maltese Cross following a near flawless season.
The Sea The Stars colt’s only defeat this season came in deplorable going in the Epsom Derby. Subsequently, he won the Grand Prix de Paris over the Arc course and distance, along with the Great Voltigeur.
The George Waud-owned Maltese Cross had his final preparation this week as he bids to imprint his hooves in racing history.
Speaking to the Racing Post on Wednesday morning, William Haggas said: “All you can do is get them there in one piece. His work is done now and he’s in the best form we can have him in.”
On the dangers, Haggas noted: “Everything’s a danger. But if you start worrying about the opposition, and read that so and so is being supplemented into the race, you get nowhere.
“Daryz has done it before, so has to be respected and his trainer says he’s in good form. So he’s one to beat. Quite how Kalpana, who is a bloody good horse, is 7-1 is beyond me.”
Haggas reflects on 2018 Arc heartbreak
William Haggas has had, and continues to have, an illustrious career. But the Arc is one trophy that every trainer desires in their cabinet.
Speaking to the Press later, the Yorkshireman said: “Everyone wants to win the Arc, so hopefully we can give it a shot. To be in there with a chance is fantastic for us and anyone. Anyone who has a runner in this race will be thrilled to be involved, and someone will win. But I just hope it’s us.
Comparing Maltese Cross with Sea Of Class, Haggas said: “I don’t think Maltese Cross has the turn of speed Sea Of Class had. She was a brilliant filly, and she was the best chance we’ve ever had. But this horse is going the right way, physically, like she was.”
Returning to that agonizing defeat in 2018, Haggas said: “It shows what this game is all about. We had an unfortunate run. She was drawn in 18, and the favourite, Enable, was drawn in six. We took a view that, because the ground was very chewed up on the outside, we didn’t want to ride her cold. We rode for luck, and she had to change course. She finished very fast, and I have no doubt that if they went another 100 yards, she would’ve won.”
With Kalpana marginally behind Maltese Cross in the betting, Haggas will be hoping he’s not haunted by another progressive Juddmonte mare on Sunday.