Contenders old and new kicked off the year with grand statements as the TAB Summer of Glory launched in sizzling style at Bendigo.
Last night’s 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. It was just a great drive”.
“They’ve just clicked,” he said. “They’ve just got on really good.”
Chris Svanosio won the Group 1 Aldebaran Park Maori Mile with his gelding Arcee Phoenix to claim full points in the first round of the seven-leg Aurora Australis.
The pegs was the place to be and the Bendigo boy took full advantage of his front row gate to lead at the bell and stretch away.
Svanosio is well accustomed to blitzing his rivals at Lord’s Raceway, having repeated the 2018 Maori Mile success he enjoyed with John Meade’s Sparkling Success (affectionally known as Rattles).
“It was great that he went the same time as Rattles, he was a legend when I drove him,” Svanosio said.
Arcee Phoenix had to keep up with a quick tempo to hold his competitors at bay and ensure he could hold the front.
“I had Queen Elida on my back,” he said. “I felt like an idiot along the back because I was just travelling that good.
“I said don’t underestimate the one on your back, but he was just travelling too good.”
Family played the biggest part in the other races on the card with Ewa Justice driving Another Nien for her dad, John, in the Spring H20 Pace.
Jason Lee might have been better suited to the MCG when he took home a hat-trick of wins. First it was Jillibyjacksparrow who took the lead and never looked back in the Alabar Bloodstock Pace for Paddy Lee. Mum Margaret also joined in the winning success training Jilliby Willow in the J & A Mazzetti Painting Mares Pace.
Jason Lee also found a winner in the penultimate race on the card combining with Kelvin Barker to see Mercenary stroll home at $15.
Matthew Craven found his way back to the winner circle with Fides, who has beaten the odds off the track as he recovered from a bout of injuries.
“The issues that he has had along the way, nothing ever major, but just little tears and fractures,” Craven said.
“He’s special little horse. If they all ment this much to you it would be a very enjoyable job when you get results like this.”
