It was 30 years on Saturday since William Haggas won the Derby with Shaamit, and he was just two lengths away from mirroring that victory with Maltese Cross who found just one too good in the colts’ classic.
Maltese Cross ran a gallant race, confirming the Lingfield Derby trial form with Bay Of Brilliance in fourth. William Haggas was proud of his horse’s effort, and is now deliberating a trip aboard for gaining classic honours.
Speaking to the Press Association, via At The Races, William Haggas said: “I thought he ran a very good, solid, genuine race. I couldn’t see an excuse and thought the winner was very good on the day. But I thought Maltese Cross ran with great credit and we’ll have some fun with him.
“The next move is important and the Irish Derby is only three weeks away and I did think he had a hard race at Epsom.
“He also has the option of the Grand Prix de Paris and he has French premiums. So that would be an obvious one being a little bit later and could be more likely than the Irish Derby. But I can’t rule anything in or out yet.”
“Ireland would not cost us anything, but Paris gives us that bit more time” – William Haggas
By Derby winner Sea The Stars, out of a Camelot mare from the family of German Derby winner Nutan, Maltese Cross is certainly bred for classic glory. The decision is very much a toss up between being cost effective or whether he needs time to rest after Epsom. The Grand Prix De Paris is not until July 14th, but he has already earned a spot in the Irish on June 28th.
Haggas explained: “He would have to be supplemented for Ireland. But if you win the Lingfield Derby Trial and then finish in the first four in the English Derby. Then you get a free entry into the Irish Derby.
“The Irish Derby would be very much in calculations and it would be that or Paris if he is OK. Ireland would not cost us anything, but Paris gives us that bit more time.”
The prospect of soft ground wherever he goes next is no issue. Haggas was formerly of the opinion he wanted it quick, but he moved fluently on the going at Epsom. “I’ve always thought he was a top of the ground horse and such a fluent mover, but I couldn’t say the ground was an excuse and I think he went through it perfectly fine and coped with it.”