His name may be Max Is Back, but in recent times he’s been more like Maxwell Smart.
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The bumbling secret agent who starred on television during the late 1960s and then on the big screen in recent times was made famous by the catchphrase “missed it by that much”.
And that’s exactly what the connections of Max Is Back must have been saying in recent times.
In his past four starts Max Is Back has run second, third, second, and third, falling just short of victory each time.
On Sunday he will be hoping to go just that little better when he lines up in the TAB Encouragement Stakes (1720m) at Dubbo Paceway.
Mat Rue will have the drive for trainer David Harris and he appears every chance of returning to the winner’s circle.
None of the field has won in recent times and Max Is Back’s second-placed finish at Bathurst on Wednesday produced some encouraging signs.
Max Is Back was only a couple of metres behind winner Wrangler Duke, who was a warm $2.30 favourite.
Max Is Back will leave from gate three on Sunday, with Rue to drive while trainer David Harris sits in the gig of his other hope in the race, Its By My Side.
Its By My Side has only won once in 21 career starts, with that win coming on June 1 at Bathurst.
Worryingly for Harris, he hasn’t run a place since that day.
Christopher Sheperdson will be in the gig of Mcardles Star, who is coming off a second-placed run at Tamworth.
Sunday’s meeting starts at 1.39pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
