Perth Cup No Certainty for Delicacy

Delicacy returned to winning form with a commanding performance for success in Saturday’s Group 2 CB Cox Stakes (2100m) at Ascot Racecourse, however prominent owner Bob Peters has revealed the talented mare is no certainty to contest the Perth Cup (2400m) on January 2nd.

Despite winning Saturday's CB Cox Stakes, Delicacy is no certainty to contest the Group 2 Perth Cup on January 2nd. Photo: Jenny Barnes

Despite winning Saturday’s CB Cox Stakes, Delicacy is no certainty to contest the Group 2 Perth Cup on January 2nd. Photo: Jenny Barnes

Jumping from the gates well in the CB Cox Stakes, jockey William Pike allowed Delicacy to stride forward and take an ideal position in transit within the classy field.

Settling into a great rhythm over the back straight, Pike elected to peel the daughter of Al Maher off the fence rounding onto the final straight and allowed ample time for her to balance before launching their final assault.

Immediately responding when asked for an extra effort, Delicacy took only strides to meet Black Heart Bart and Bass Strait at the fore of the field before comfortably pulling clear to hit the line close to two lengths ahead of Vaughn Sigley’s stable star.

Peters was understandably pleased with Delicacy’s performance for success in the Cox Stakes but revealed the mare is yet to be confirmed for the 2016 Perth Cup.

“She’s no certainty to run,” Peters said after the CB Cox Stakes.

“Obviously she was looking for a little bit further. Everything was in her favour today – she had weight-for-age, the distance, barrier, everything was there. So if she couldn’t win today obviously she hadn’t come back.

“I’ll have a look at the field and the weights and see what we do.

“There’s a few options for her. There’s probably two or three options that I’m looking at but we’ll decide at the end of this little stretch now.”

Delicacy’s stable mate Real Love ran on for a credible fourth in the CB Cox Stakes and Peters revealed he is also yet to confirm a next point of call for the talented five-year-old.

“It was a good run by her,” Peters added.

“Unfortunately she’ll have a lot of weight in the Cup as well.”

Delicacy has undoubtedly been the standout West Australian thoroughbred in 2015; returning for third in the Listed Make Your Own Magic Challenge (1500m) on February 14th before posting consecutive wins in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m), Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m), Group 2 WA Oaks (2400m) and Group 2 WATC Derby (2400m).

Set for a maiden tilt at the highest level in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 2nd, Delicacy delivered a talented field of fillies a resounding defeat before repeating the dose in the Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) only one week later.

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.