Aiming to reclaim Cup title

VETERAN pacer Max Delight will attempt to join a pair of stars when he heads back to Melton this weekend.

Engaged in Saturday night's $300,000 Victoria Cup, Max Delight is aiming to reclaim the title he once held, having captured the Grand Circuit event in 2021.

Trained by David Aiken, the son of Bettors Delight was driven by Chris Alford to defeat Triple Eight and King Of Swing.

Max Delight finished tenth during his title defence before being omitted from the 2023 field.

As it stands, only two Cup champions have managed to return to the throne after relinquishing the position.

Sinbad Bay was the ground breaker thanks to his wins in 1989 and 1991 for trainer Bob Knight.

Driven by Brian Gath in 1989 - known at the time as the Winfield Gold Cup - Sinbad Bay missed the following year due to injury.

Returning to the top in 1991, Sinbad Bay was reined to glory by Knight's son, Vin.

Also trained by Aiken, Lennytheshark was triumphant in 2016 and the second edition in 2017 when partnered by Alford on both occasions.

Lennytheshark also missed the year between his wins.

As for Max Delight, he has drawn to settle in a prominent position from barrier four.

Kept fresh since finishing second at Club Menangle on September 14, Max Delight won a trial ion 1:53.6 around the world class circuit last Wednesday.

Despite boasting three wins and two placings from his last five starts, the eight-year-old is the $101 rank outsider with TAB Fixed Odds.

Queensland sensation Leap To Fame is a $1.20 favourite from gate three, with his older half-brother, Swayzee, the only other runner under double figures at $9.50 from barrier 12.