Max Delight shocks Swayzee at Menangle

Evergreen veteran pacer Max Delight (Bettors Delight) showed that he can still match it with the very best when he outstayed hot favourite Swayzee in a thrilling harness racing finish in the Joe and Michael Ilsley Free For All at Menangle Park on Saturday night.

Swayzee who has taken everything before him this season was using the run in preparation for the $1.25 million Nullabor to be staged at Gloucester Park in Perth later this month.

MAX DELIGHT APR 5 REPLAY ILSLEY FREE FOR ALL

Punters who would have taken the bank interest odds would have had every reason to feel confident when Cameron Hart on Swayzee allowed the gelding to hold the lead. Will Rixon on Max Delight went with Swayzee early but that enabled him to take the trail behind the leader which was obviously his intention.

Very quickly soon after the field spread out in Indian file.  Pete Said So settled in third place but it was clear that most of the field was struggling to keep up along the back straight on the final occasion.

Max Delight stuck to his task but Swayzee still looked to be holding his ground in the lead. But Max Delight continued his run and he drew in front down the straight. Swayzee showing his customary courage refused to give in but he couldn’t make up ground and he went down by a neck with Jay Ok 15 metres away third.

The mile rate for the 2300 metre trip was 1.52.5 with the final two quarters of 27.7 and 27.3 seconds.

Max Delight has now earned up to $1.35 million for his owner Michael Maxfield and the win is testament to the training ability of David Aiken who continues to present the gelding in superb condition.

On his current form Max Delight would be entitled to have another crack at the Inter Dominion to be run this July at Albion Park. He has contested the series on three occasions before however Aiken and connections will no doubt consider this option in their future plans.

Swayzee was far from disgraced and on the night he found Max Delight a bit too strong. He should still be one of the main prospects for the Nullabor as he is too good to dismiss in anything he competes.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink