Derby trial next for Maltese Cross after game success

Maltese Cross booked his ticket to a Derby trial after coming out on top in a blanket finish to the Darley EBF Novice Stakes at Newbury.

A race won by the likes of Military Order and Gethin since its inception, it is often a novice stakes in name alone and William Haggas will hope this was another above average renewal after the 7-4 favourite obliged in the hands of Tom Marquand.

Making only his third career start having signed off last season with a win at Newmarket, the son of Sea The Stars needed every yard of the 10 furlongs to wear down his rivals.

However, he had a neck in hand at the finish and although only a length and a quarter separated the first six home, the master of Somerville Lodge was eager to head for a Classic trial next time out as he looks to saddle an Epsom contender on the 30th anniversary of his Derby triumph with Shaamit.

Haggas said: “I thought this was a strong race on paper and when the first six finish so close together that usually means it is not a great race, but they looked a bunch of nice horses and I think we ought to have a go at a trial over further.

“We’ll see what we find next time and he might just be a good lengthener, but I came here thinking this was like a mini Listed race or a Derby trial as they were all really liked by their trainers.

“He’ll either go Lingfield or Chester I think and I think he wants it really fast. He’s a really fluent mover and I think he’ll enjoy quick ground.

“He should stay well and we’re very keen to have a shot at the Derby with something. He’s put his hat in the ring and it’s always better to win than not.

“I think the further he goes the better he will be and Tom felt he needed a proper contest and he was still floating a bit. He will need a unique experience like Chester or Lingfield where it will get him a bit more agile but I was really pleased with the way he knuckled down to win and we move forwards.”

Maltese Cross was cut to 25-1 from 33s by Paddy Power for the Derby on June 6 and it was the second time this week Haggas has seen one of his three-year-olds put their hat in the ring for loftier assignments after Feilden Stakes scorer Morshdi on Wednesday.

They are in fact the only two winners the Newmarket handler has enjoyed on turf this term, but he is hopeful it offers positive signs for the future.

Haggas added: “At this time of year we all dream and time will tell whether the dreams are going to be reality or we just end up in the King George V handicap at Royal Ascot.

“Every trainer is juggling them around at this time of year and some win and some disappoint. He had been working with Morshdi and this confirmed the home work but ours have not been winning and this is only our second winner on the grass.

“Ours have been rusty and just not winning, but I think in the next month they could all come together and find improvement. We’re still to run a horse twice on the grass and I’m hoping they will show improvement because I think this is a nice horse.

“He beat Del Maro at Newmarket last year and he is 101, but that’s still two stone off winning the Derby. But I do think this is definitely a mile and a half horse and maybe even a mile and six.”