Max Delight returns with a vengeance at Menangle in 1.48.9

Any doubts about Max Delight (Bettors Delight) losing his sparkle were dispelled in the most compelling way when he scored one of his most impressive harness racing wins in the fast class Bestinbeds at Menangle on Saturday evening.

The evergreen gelding drawn on the outside of the front row  was an alarming drifter in the betting with all the money coming for up and comer Horn Player.

In a sterling battle for the lead Montalbano was taken to the front but was headed off in turn by Ardens Ace,  and then Horn Player. Will Rixon allowed Max Delight to race up alongside the leader but then made a lightning move to eventually take over.

The field had gone a scintillating early pace with the two first quarters in 26.5 and 28.4 seconds and one might have expected that Max Delight would be a sitting shot for those behind him.

But showing his qualities Max Delight moved into another gear running his third quarter in 27.1 seconds and leaving his rivals in the lurch. Urged on by Rixon Max Delight continued to scorch the ground and at the finish in a remarkable mile time of 1.48.9 had just under five metres to spare over Horn Player with Ardens Ace in third.

MAX DELIGHT AUG 9 REPLAY

Max Delight had recently returned from his Inter Dominion campaign where he battled on in his usual honest style with fifth placing behind Leap To Fame in the Final.

Freshened up the gelding looked in perfect condition being immaculately turned out by his astute trainer David Aiken who has done a marvellous job planning and organising his illustrious career over his eight seasons of racing.

In that period Max Delight has raced on 145 occasions for 36 wins and 47 placings for around $1.431 million and he is inching closer to the magic $1.5 million mark.

Special mention should also go to driver Will Rixon who drove such a confident race with tactics that paid off spectacularly with Max Delight’s splendid win.

It would seem that the logical event for Max Delight would be the Group 1 $150,000 Len Smith Mile at Menangle on Eureka night September 6. But he would be competitive in any feature race that Aiken may have planned for him.

Rixon also had reason to feel pleased as the win completed a double as in the previous event he guided Royal Division (Lincoln Royal) to a strong win in the Prydes Racing Cube Pace.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink