Hollywood producer and director George Waud has compared his first Betfred Derby runner to movie legend Samuel L. Jackson. Waud worked with Jackson on his 2006 hit film Snakes on a Plane and was so impressed by his professionalism and preparedness that he described him as a “one take wonder”.
He claims his three-year-old colt Maltese Cross, the winner of three of his four starts, including the Lingfield Derby Trial last month, has the same attributes. Waud, 59, is now hoping that he, trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand will be celebrating success in the £2 million Betfred Derby on Saturday at Epsom Downs.
Comparisons to Hollywood Royalty
Waud said: “The thing I can say about Samuel L. Jackson is he was a one-take wonder. He always showed up prepared. He always nailed his line in one take and, so far, Maltese Cross has been a bit of a one-take wonder. He's always sort of just done enough to do what he needs to do, but he's improved with every race. And I think, most significantly, he's really impressed Tom Marquand at Lingfield, and the work he's done since then. But, look, it wouldn't be The Derby if it wasn't hard.”
Draw and Conditions
Maltese Cross was drawn in stall one at Wednesday’s Betfred Derby Draw in London. Waud continued: “You can't control the draw - it's what you do with the draw that counts. So, over to Mr. Marquand, and Mr Haggas. We could probably have done without the rain. We could probably have done without the draw. But it's just an absolute thrill, and an honour to have a horse that's good enough to take part in The Derby, so I don't have any complaints.”
Maltese Cross is looking very well. Tom Marquand's one-word review of his last gallop was: 'Superb'. Asked if a Maltese Cross victory on Saturday could inspire a new Hollywood blockbuster, Waud said: “I think unlikely, but all movies about horses I've always loved. I have seen a script for a Red Rum movie, which I thought was a great idea.”
