Aiken’s Delight heads into stellar Group 1 clash in top order

Multiple Group 1 winner Max Delight (Bettor’s Delight) takes the first step in his Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup defence when he lines up in harness racing’s Group 1 $100,000 VHRC Caduceus Classic at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday (Sep. 10).

Max Delight is a $26 chance behind the $2.40 favorite Honolua Bay going into his first start since finishing unplaced in the Popular Alm Sprint six weeks ago, but trainer David Aiken is prepared to put that outing in the rear-vision mirror.

“He was found to have a niggling issue after that run,” Aiken said. “He has to start somewhere and this is a $100,000 race, so it has attracted a lot of nice horses such as Honolua Bay and Copy That.”

Aiken is content the six-year-old is in good fettle following a recent trial win at Shepparton.

“He ran home in 56, so I am happy with where he is at,” he said.

Aiken believes Max Delight has added another string to his bow following a brave third placing behind Mach Shard in the Wagga Pacing Cup three starts ago.

“He has won big races after having a sit but in the Wagga Cup he sat parked and got pushed three wide on the turn when they ran 1:49, it was an outstanding run,” he said.

“We won’t be hunting out of the gate at his first run from a break, so we are hoping Honolua Bay goes forward from the second row over the sprint trip and puts a bit of pressure on Copy That, and Max Delight has proven he is a good miler if the speed is on.”

It could well present as a big night for Peter Lewis, who not only bred Max Delight but also his little full-sister Major Delight, who’s chasing a third victory from as many starts in Saturday night’s Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety 2YO Pace. Both are by Bettor’s Delight and out of Lady Euthenia, an Art Major mare who won $461,285 in stakes and 21 of her 40 starts, including four Group 1s.

Meanwhile Aiken is making good progress following his recent battle with prostate cancer, and joins reinsmen Chris Alford and Greg Sugars as harness racing’s Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia ambassadors throughout September.

“I am due to have a blood test in two weeks and the doctors are giving me positive reports,” he said.

Aiken urged all men over the age of 50 to undertake regular blood tests.

“I had absolutely no symptoms and have never been sick but luckily for me my wife Colleen made me go and have a blood test and they got the cancer when it was within millimetres of spreading out of the prostate in to other parts of my body,” he said.

Harness Racing Victoria’s fundraising page The Long Trot, part of the foundation’s The Long Run initiative, has already raised $4481 for the cause. Click here to join or donate.

For complete Melton Saturday race fields, click here.

by John Dunne, for HRV