Hollywood producer and director George Waud has compared his first Betfred Derby runner, Maltese Cross, to movie legend Samuel L. Jackson. Waud worked with Jackson on the 2006 hit film Snakes on a Plane and was impressed by his professionalism, calling him a “one take wonder”.
Waud claims his three-year-old colt Maltese Cross, winner of three of his four starts including the Lingfield Derby Trial last month, shares the same attributes. “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,” Waud said.
The £2 million Betfred Derby takes place on Saturday at Epsom Downs. Maltese Cross, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Tom Marquand, was drawn in stall one at Wednesday’s draw. Waud commented: “You can't control the draw - it's what you do with the draw that counts. So, over to Mr. Marquand, and Mr Haggas.”
Waud added: “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 victory could inspire a 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.”
