Delightful night kicks off the year

By Lachlan Mitchell (HRV)

Contenders old and new kicked off the New Year with grand statements as the TAB Summer of Glory launched in sizzling style at Bendigo last Saturday night.

The Garrards Horse and Hound Bendigo Pacing Cup saw a driving masterclass from reinsman Nathan Jack to see the David Aiken trained Max Delight salute, building on the eight-year-old’s outstanding Lords Raceway record.

The foal of Bettors Delight drew an unfortunate gate nine, giving Jack an eat or be eaten mood heading into the race and the 38-year-old made a bold move to swoop early, lead and never look back.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in him lately and I had that in the back of my mind because there didn’t seem to be a death seat horse, there was probably going to be no pressure,” Jack said.

“Whether we were going to be the one to sit outside them and dictate the race or find the front. You go into these races open minded.”

Aiken was all praise for Jack’s drive, noting “Nathan is a great form driver and he just reads the race so well.”

“They’ve just clicked,” he said.

“It was just a great drive.”