Max Delight winning the 2026 Nullabor
IT was a case of the old and the new when veteran marvel Max Delight upstaged a crack field to win last night’s $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park.
It was the biggest win of their careers for both 10-year-old Max Delight and his young gun 25-year-old driver Will Rixon.
Max Delight, having his 161st start, banked $500,000 for the win and went past $2 million in career prize money.
He is only the 29th Australasian pacer to top $2 million.
The race billed as a match race between local stars Minstrel and Magnificent Storm and they went at it up front, but Minstrel was first beaten and tired for sixth, while Magnificent Storm was third after leading.
Rixon used gate three to land the one-one trail and grew in confidence as the race unfolded.
“We landed where I hoped we would and he travelled so well. I knew he’d give a big kick and he did,” he said.
“It’s by far my biggest win. What a difference he’s made in my career in the 15 months I’ve been driving him, taking me into an Inter Dominion final, a Miracle Mile and now this win.”
It continued Menangle trainer David Aiken’s proud record in WA.
“We won an Inter Dominion here with Lennytheshark (2015), almost did it again with Hectorjayjay (second) the next year and now this,” he said.
“After Lenny and Hector finished, I didn’t think I’d get a good horse enough to come back again, but here we are a decade later with old Max.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win lots of big races, but this is right up there.
“To happen at this stage of my career, with a horse we’ve had for eight years, it really is very special.
“I remember desperately wanting old Max to get past $1 million and now he’s topped $2 million.”
Aiken praised Tasmanian owners Mick and Dean Maxfield for buying their own slot to ensure Max Delight got a start in the race.
“We wanted to run last year, but couldn’t get a slot and Cam (Brown from RWWA) rang this time and said a slot had become available. Dad (Mick) wanted to take it, so I spoke to ‘Aikey’ (Aiken) and he said go for it,” Dean Maxfield said.
“Dad was too unwell to make the trip across, but I rang him straight after the race and he was in tears. It just meant the world to him.”
Outsider Golden Lode flashed home for second, while another Menangle raider, Ubetcha Tigerpie, was a close fourth.
Aiken confirmed Max Delight would back-up in next Friday night’s $300,000 Group 1 Fremantle Cup and try to complete the double like Catch A Wave and Mister Smartee have the paid two years.
“Coming across, I actually thought the Fremantle Cup might even suit him better, but now it would just be a bonus” he said.
The other eastern states raiders Ubetcha Tigerpie and Bulletproof Boy, who ran below his best last night when ninth, will also back-up in the Fremantle Cup.
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
PHOTO: Pacepix
