Evergreen veteran chasing another Vic Cup berth

NEXT month’s Victoria Cup is on the agenda for evergreen veteran Max Delight.

Speaking after the 10-year-old’s win at Club Menangle last Saturday night, trainer David Aiken confirmed Max Delight is being aimed at the Grand Circuit event, which is scheduled to be conducted in Melton on October 17.

Max Delight is no stranger to success in the Group One, having captured the 2021 edition in Bendigo.

The son of Bettors Delight was then unplaced during his title defence before a fourth in 2024.

“He is racing so well and has earned another shot at the Cup,” Aiken said. “While there are no plans of retiring him anytime soon, we don’t know how many big races he can keep making his way into, so we’ll have a go at them when we can.

“It’s still a month away, so I will look at giving him a start or two before then to keep him sharp.”

With Will Rixon in the cart during his latest outing, Max Delight was settled in the perfect one-one position from barrier eight as Hi Manameisjeff led from nine and Jorge Street worked in the ‘death seat’.

Angled into the clear at the top of the home straight, Max Delight unleashed his customary finishing burst to score by a metre-and-a-half from his stablemate Dessie Gee.

Hi Manameisjeff battled on to be metre-and-a-half away third as the winner covered the mile in 1:50.8.

“His last few runs had been pretty solid and I knew it was just a matter of getting the right run for him to be able to get another win on the board,” Aiken said. “He hadn’t won since April, but had run four placings in his eight starts since, so he’s been consistent.”

Along with the home of claiming another topshelf event, Aiken has a personal reason to be in Melton during Cup weekend.

“Our first grandchild, Eliza, turns one the following day, so we’re looking forward to that,” Aiken said.