Tough Pencarrow Racing stayer Deliciano (Darci Brahma x Santagostino) powered through testing conditions at Te Aroha today to claim victory in the $8,000 Rating 75 Silver Fern Farms 2100m.

The daughter of Darci Brahma entered the race in good form having finished second at her last two starts over staying distances at Hastings (2500m) and Te Rapa (2400m) for Pencarrow’s resident trainers Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie.

Rider Michael Dee allowed Deliciano to find her feet in the race and settled midfield. Racing on a taxing Heavy 10 track, Dee improved his position at the 800m with his mount clearly handling the conditions the best in the race.

The five-year-old mare challenged for the lead at the top of the straight and showed superior fitness as she surged to the lead. A strong finish from Fair Fleet (Civics) was too late as Deliciano saluted by one length at the finish.

“She hadn’t won a race in a while but she has been knocking on the door,” commented Ramsay. “She is pretty seasoned, pretty fit and she relaxes in her races which is a big help especially on those sorts of tracks as she doesn’t use up her energy.

“We were quite confident going into the race after her run over 2500m at Hastings when the track was pretty heavy so we thought the track conditions wouldn’t be a worry, or the 2100m.

“There is a Rating 85 2400m at Ellerslie next Saturday which we might send her to if she comes through the run well then send her to have a break.

“Long term we might set her for the New Zealand Cup, she will probably get two miles on the way she runs out her races.”

Today’s victory was the fifth win for Deliciano from her 25 starts.

Bred by Sir Peter and Philip Vela, Deliciano is out of the Group 2 Great Northern Guineas winner Santagostino (Giant’s Causeway) who is a half-sister to Group 1 NZ Oaks winner Vapour Trail (Jetball) and Listed winning two-year-old Encosta Diablo (Encosta de Lago).

Santagostino was served last season by exciting first season sire Ocean Park, a five-time Group 1 winner and Cox Plate hero.

The Pencarrow colours were also carried to victory today in Melbourne with first starter Devil’s Harmony (Pentire x Devil’s Song) victorious for trainer David Hayes.