Max makes it count at Otaki

The connections of Waikato Stud graduate Mad Max (Maxmara), who has a half-brother bound for Karaka this month, were rewarded for their patience at Otaki when he broke through for an overdue maiden success.

Trainer Andrew Forsman found the four-year-old an ideal opportunity over 1200 metres for the good-looking son of Savabeel and he duly obliged.

The well-related Mad Max had kicked off his campaign with consecutive runner-up finishes at Te Aroha and Tauranga before racing ungenerously when well out of the frame on Boxing Day.

“He is a beautiful animal and his seconds were really good, things didn’t go well at Ellerslie so he’ll hopefully take a lot of confidence from this,” stable representative Trina Riddell said.

Mad Max coasted along in fifth spot before improving around runners near the turn and let down strongly in the hands of in-form apprentice Lily Sutherland to win with authority.

He was bred by Waikato Stud and was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $160,000 by Ohukia Lodge.

The half-brother to three winners realised $575,000 when reoffered at the Ready to Run Sale with Forsman and Andrew Williams Bloodstock signing the ticket.

Mad Max is out of the O’Reilly mare Maxmara who is a half-sister to stakes winners Somepin Anypin, Evergreen and Salsa and the family of the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes winner Savabeel.

Waikato Stud will offer a Noverre filly out of Maxmara as Lot 106 during the Book 1 session at Karaka on January 26 – click to view her pedigree.