Maltese Cross has Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe glory in his sights as he gets set to take his chance at ParisLongchamp this coming Sunday.
The William Haggas-trained three-year-old has already made one successful venture over to the French capital in his short career, but victory in the Arc would be by far and away the most outstanding acheivement on his CV. A son of Arc winner Sea The Stars, he overcame major trouble in running to land the Grand Prix de Paris at the track back in July.
He followed up that win with another striking performance in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, with connections seeing it fit to bypass the St Leger in favour of a crack at the Arc.
Underfoot conditions could be key to his prospects of taking home the famous middle distance Group 1 on Sunday and the weather in France has turned in his favour, with a quick surface expected at the track following a prolonged dry spell. Although he still ran with credit to finish runner-up to Christmas Day in the Derby, the soft ground that he encountered in Epsom that day clearly wasn't to his liking.
“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," said Gavin Chengalanee, racing manager to Maltese Cross' owner, George Waud.
“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.”
Sunday will see him clash with reigning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz, who is the only contender shorter than Maltese Cross in the betting. Francis-Henri Graffard's stable star produced a scintillating display to land the £2m prize 12 months ago and has had his whole season geared towards a repeat success.
Following disappointing defeat to Ombudsman at Royal Ascot, he returned to his absolute best to dispatch of Bay City Roller -- who also is likely to line up in Sunday's Arc -- in the Group 1 Prix Foy back at his beloved Longchamp.
Despite the quality of opposition, Chengalanee is excited about Maltese Cross' chances, saying: “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."
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
