Max Delight belies his ten years as he blitzes them in the Bidgee
Wonderful evergreen pacer Max Delight (Bettors Delight) continues to defy his age with yet another winning performance In the $100,000 Group 3 Bidgee at Wagga on Friday night. The event was the first of the New South Wales Carnival of Cups series being promoted by Harness Racing New South Wales.
Star three year old Palladium was backed into favouritism and as expected he found the lead early while the tough four year old Forty Love had do face the breeze. It was just as the field was settling down that driver Will Rixon made his winning move taking off from the rear of the field. To the surprise of a few he was able to steer to the front as Brad Hewitt on Palladium was content to take a trail.
Even so at that point having obtained the lead without doing too much work Max Delight was going to be hard to beat especially over the testing 2800 metre journey.
Palladium’s stablemate Forever On The Punt was three back on the rails with Its Confidential enjoying a one out and one back trail. Nyack who was on the second line settled back at the rear.
However Max Delight started to put the pressure on in the final lap as he raced his third quarter in 26.7 seconds. Palladium had the drop and eased out to issue a challenge of sorts but with the pace that Max Delight was running the others including Nyack who was forced wide making his run couldn’t make up much ground.
Palladium tried his heart out but found Max Delight too strong as he prevailed by just over four metres. Forever On the Punt held on for third as Max Delight rated 1.54.1 for the 2800 metres.
Trainer David Aiken stated
He’s just an amazing horse. He always puts in a good performance and never lets you down. It was a master drive by Will. And Brad’s horse (Palladium) was fantastic.
At home he loves being around the place and he’s easy on himself. He’ll go to the Len Smith Mile at Menangle in a fortnight and we’ll continue to go around the Country Cups and perhaps go for the bonus.
Driver Will Rixon who posted his 1,000th lifetime winner with Max Delight echoed Aiken’s sentiments.
This horse gives you an amazing feeling. It was a great win he didn’t have to spend many pennies getting where he was.
Brad Hewitt was pleased with Palladium’s efforts and is toying with the idea of having a crack at the New Zealand Derby later in the month.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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