By Adam Hamilton
Old pacing marvel Max Delight could add to the powerhouse Aussie raid on this year’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.
Trainer David Aiken admits the race is a “bucket lister” and knows Max Delight could be his last chance to have a runner on the second Tuesday in November at Addington.
Despite age, nine-year-old Max Delight is racing in career-best form.
He equalled his PB with a blistering 1min48.8sec mile win at Menangle on Saturday night. Just a week earlier, he won in 1min48.9sec.
Those are his only two starts since charging home from a hopeless position for fifth behind Leap To Fame in the Brisbane Inter Dominion final at Albion Park on July 19.
Max Delight, who boasts 37 lifetime wins and almost $1.5 million, has won six of his starts this season with another seven placings.
The gelding is a credit to Aiken, given he broke down after finishing third in the 2020 Chariots Of Fire and didn’t race for almost a year.
“The NZ Cup is a race you dream of having a runner in. Yes, we’ve talked about it and it’s a possibility,” Aiken said.
But first, Aiken has sights set on more Group 1 glory in the $150,000 Len Smith Mile at Menangle on September 6.
Judging by his recent form, Max Delight will be as hard to beat as anything.
Especially with Australasia’s three best pacers, Leap To Fame, Swayzee and Don Hugo, will miss the Len Smith.
In contrast to so many of his runs when he has led or done the work, Max Delight enjoyed a cosy three pegs run for driver Will Rixon last night.
But the son of Bettor’s Delight still had to smash the clock with his closing splits to win. He ran his own last half in 52.9sec and a closing quarter of 26.4sec to rundown the high-class leader Captains Knock.
Max Delight will face the likes of classy Queensland stablemates Speak Truth, who ran second in the Inter Dominion final and Sure Thing Captain in the Len Smith.
Last year’s winner and $2million-plus earner Catch A Wave is also being set for the race.
Australia’s best mare, Eye Keep Smiling, will be on trial for a Len Smith start when she returns to racing at Menangle next Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Leap To Fame is slated for an October 4 racetrack return as he prepares for the $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup on October 18 and Melton and then the NZ Cup.
Dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee will return to racing next month after a long spell and he prepares for clashes with Leap To Fame in both the Victoria and NZ Cups.