Sugars to team with old marvel in Hunter Cup

Top harness racing driver Greg Sugars will team with old marvel Max Delight (Bettor’s Delight) in Saturday week’s Group 1 Hunter Cup.

Sugars is one of 18 drivers to partner Max Delight in a race in his 128-start career.

It will be just his second drive on the nine-year-old, the first being a third in a Melton free-for-all on July 22, 2023.

“I rang Greg to see if he was available and I was thrilled when he was,” Aiken said.

This will be Max Delight’s third tilt at the Hunter Cup. He ran 12^th to King Of Swing in 2022 and 3^rd to Leap To Fame last year.

Max Delight resumes from a spell for his one lead-up race when clashes with Don Hugo, Captains Knock and others in a strong 2300m free-for-all at Menangle on Saturday night.

Aiken’s excitement has soared since driving the gelding himself for a close second to Don Hugo in a Menangle trial last Wednesday week.

“Gee he trialled well,” he said. “He came from third, then went 1min50.8sec, really ripped home and he finished alongside Don Hugo.

“He’s just bounced through that Inter Dominion series so well. I’ve said it before, but he’s never raced better.”

Aiken took Max Delight from Menangle back to his farm near Shepparton for two weeks over Christmas to freshen-up.

“He loved it there and he’s ready to pick-up where he left off,” he said.

“Judging by the trial, he should run really well this week, but it’s a strong race with Don Hugo back and Captains Knock there, too.

“Captains Knock has the benefit of a run under his belt, while Don Hugo and my guy are first-up since the Inter Dominion (December 14).

“But he’s fit. The trial showed it. This run should top him right off for Melbourne.”

Max Delight is coming off a huge eight-year-old season where he raced 27 times for six wins, 11 placings and earned $338,250.

Overall, he’s won 31 races and banked $1,236,424.

Along with a third tilt at the Hunter Cup, Max Delight has contested three Victoria Cups, including a win in 2021, and three Inter Dominion series. His third in last month’s final was his best effort.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria