Mixed emotions in $300,000 Victoria Cup victory

It was a case of mixed emotions for harness racing trainer David Aiken when his pacer Max Delight hit the front and won the $300,000 Victoria Cup at Bendigo on Saturday night.

Just metres before the finish line, Aiken’s other starter Malcolms Rhythm was involved in a freak accident which dislodged the driver, Josh Aiken, the trainer’s son.

“Everything is good which is a relief,” said Aiken shortly after claiming his third Victoria Cup.

“Horse and driver are okay.”

Max Delight caused an upset in the Grand Circuit event at starting odds of $17.60, following a mixed preparation leading into the Group 1.

After being scratched from the Smoken Up Sprint last week due to a hoof abscess, Aiken was able to resurrect the son of Bettors Delight.

Drawn ideally in barrier two, reinsman Chris Alford was able guide Max Delight across to the pegs first which proved to be the winning move as Amazing Dream made her way to the front and take the lead.

The tempo was solid throughout and with the first two quarters run in an identical 29 seconds followed by the final two quarters in 27.4 and 28.5 seconds.

Alford angled Max Delight into the sprint lane where he cruised to a three-metre victory over a fast-finishing Triple Eight and the favourite, King Of Swing close behind in third after racing outside the leader.

The mile rate was 1:53.2 for the 2150m test.

“It’s a big relief,” said Aiken.

“He had the draw and can be a dangerous horse.”

That was the third Victoria Cup Aiken and Alford have combined to win together.

The pair won the 2016 and 2017 editions with Lennytheshark.

Alford also won the 1995 edition with Golden Reign.

This success added to a big night for Aiken who also won the Group 3 Popular Alm Free-For-All with Reactor Now who was driven by his son Josh.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink