Max Delight will enter this Friday night’s Group 1 $300,000 Fremantle Cup (2936m) as a serious contender after upstaging more fancied rivals to salute in last week’s Nullarbor at Gloucester Park.

The 10-year-old was friendless in betting, drifting from $8 to $23 for the Group 1 $1.25 million event last Friday but finished powerfully, beating Golden Lode and Magnificent Storm, while race favourite Minstrel wilted to sixth after breezing.

His driver Will Rixon says the 161-start veteran will be even better this week and is keen to get back in the bike.

“I’ll be heading back over,” he said on SEN.

“The draw is going to be a massive part. If we can get a similar draw, he’s in with a huge chance again because he just loves the distance.

“He relaxes so well and his best races have nearly been over the trip, so, personally, I think he’s going to see out the trip better than a horse like Magnificent Storm.

“Minstrel is obviously going to get the 3000m very well and there are other good horses in the race. Golden Lode was terrific the other night, Mighty Ronaldo is always dangerous over the long trip; he’s won a Freo Cup before.

“It’s going to be another good race but if we get a good draw, I won’t be afraid to use it this week.”

Max Delight had barrier three in the Nullarbor and settled one-out and one-back before being unveiled by Rixon inside the final 400m to claim the two local fancies, Magnificent Storm and Minstrel.

Racing to the front, he established a lead and held off Golden Lode, who was a career-best run to finish second.

“I feel like Max is still a touch underrated. He’s raced the best horses his whole career, he’s run second to Leap To Fame a couple of times, he’s beaten Swayzee before in the last 12 months,” Rixon said.

“He’s a really good horse and the draw was probably the best he’s had in a big race for a while. I was hoping a bit of a change for him, leaving (Sydney) might have helped him a little bit because he has been racing a little bit lazy.

“He was pretty sharp on Friday night.”

Earlier in the night, Here’s Herbie ($1.30f) created quite the impression at his WA debut, working industriously yet still proving far too classy for inferior rivals.

The Greg and Skye Bond-trained seven-year-old is among nominations for the Fremantle Cup but given his low rating, is unlikely to be in contention for a field position.

“I’m hoping he’s not in the Freo Cup, to be honest; I thought he was awfully impressive,” Rixon said.

“Next year, he might be their next top-liner.”