The Pencarrow bred and raced Deliciano (Darci Brahma) made a timely return to winning form on Saturday at Otaki in the $20,000 The Dominion Post St Leger Trial (2100m).

Trained by Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie, Deliciano (Darci Brahma x Santagostino, by Giant’s Causeway) was backed into favouritism and duly obliged punters, coming wide on the turn under jockey Darryl Bradley and staying on well to beat St Moritz (Viking Ruler) by three-quarters-of-a-length.

“She raced well but she buttoned off a little when she hit the front so the win was a lot easier than it may have looked,” commented co-trainer Steven Ramsay.

Deliciano has had two attempts at stakes level – both last season at age three – and having won Saturday’s race she will get a chance to gain that coveted black-type in the Listed St Leger Stakes at Trentham.

“She looks well placed in the St Leger as its set weights so she should get a nice weight in the race. She has raced well at Trentham over 2400 metres before so I’m sure the 2500 metres won’t cause any problems.”

The win capped off a big weekend for the Pencarrow bred sire Darci Brahma who also saw his son Nashville win the Group 1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic and Recite the Group 2 Matamata Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.

Deliciano was bred by Peter and Philip Vela and is out of the Group 2 winning Giant’s Causeway mare Santagostino. Deliciano’s grand-dam is the Sir Tristram mare Devil’s Lair who is also the dam of Group 1 winner Vapour Trail and the two-year-old stakes winner Encosta Diablo.

Santagostino foaled a colt by Lonhro and was served by Pins last season.