Delicacy sets new record in winning 2016 Perth Cup

IN the first major race of 2016, champion mare Delicacy set a weight-carrying record to win the $500,000 Perth Cup on Saturday.

The set weight of 59kg was enough for jockey William Pike to switch his ride to second place getter Neverland, but he pulled the wrong rein as Delicacy was simply too good for its rivals.

The champion three-year-old filly of last season became the highest weight-carrying mare to win the Perth Cup, giving owner Bob Peters his sixth win in the Group 2 race. Peters also finished second and third with Neverland and Real Love which won the 2015 edition.

“She surprised us last year and she keeps doing it this year,” Peters said.

“She continues to raise the bar.

This win is probably up there with the first one. The first one always holds special memories.”

Peters won his first Perth Cup with Field Officer in 1993 before winning it five more times with horses such as Crown Prosecutor and Western Jewel. He now sits one win behind Paddy Connolly in the Perth Cup owners’ honours list, but he wants the top spot.

“I have to get another couple,” Peters said.

“One more evens me up and two will put me in front.

“It will be nice to create a slice of history.”

Delicacy will likely head east in the near future, but Peters will bide his time and let the dust settle before making any plans.

“I will look at the logistics of getting to something like the Australian Cup, but we will wait and see how she pulls up,” Peters said.

“She will go to the paddock tomorrow [Sunday].

“Last time she had a couple of days off so we will see what she gets this time.”

Delicacy is currently a $9 chance at Sportsbet.com.au to win the 2016 Australian Cup at Flemington on March 12. Internationally-performed Preferment and Criterion are on the top line of betting at $6.

Two recent imports have also been well favoured with Bow Creek and Magic Artist both at $10.

Hong Kong Vase winner Highland Reel could return to Australia and bookmakers have it safe in the market at $17.

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