TONY Cruz thought he had the Derby Trial won when he hit the front in the last 100 metres on 5-2 favourite, Our Pal. But the chestnut son of Bakharoff, racing for the first time in two months, faltered in the last few strides and did not even finish in the tierce behind Sterling Town, Fortune Ride and Winning Chance. Cruz thought Our Pal may not have gone through with his effort but he is more than willing to give him another chance in the Derby itself as the four-year-old, trained by his brother Derek Cruz, probably needed the run. ''I came there to win and went past Winning Chance but my horse threw in the towel. He stopped,'' said Cruz.

''But I will definitely stick with him in the Derby. I still think he has the quality to go close in the big race.'' ''This [Derby trial] race was all about getting him ready for the Derby. ''I think he should come on a fair bit for the run and still looks a really good ride in the Derby.''