The Darci Brahma three-year-old Deliciano provided a stellar victory for Pencarrow Racing at Dargaville on Wednesday, with the filly perfectly executing the first step in her campaign towards the New Zealand Oaks in March.

Ridden by Leith Innes, Deliciano came from the back of the pack in the 1800m Maiden to win comfortably by half a length.

Trained by the Pencarrow Racing duo of Rambo Ramsay & Julia Ritchie, Deliciano is a true home bred, being by the Pencarrow bred sire Darci Brahma and being the first foal from the Pencarrow bred mare Santagostino, by Giant’s Causeway. Santagostino (ex Devil’s Lair) was herself a stakeswinner at three, taking the Group 2 Great Northern Guineas (2100m), followed by a third in the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic behind Veloce Bella and a nose to Princess Coup, then a Listed victory in the Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) in Queensland in May 2007.

Darci Brahma’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks winning dam Grand Echezeaux was also bred by Pencarrow, being by Zabeel from the stud’s foundation broodmare Richebourg, by Vice Regal.

Deliciano became the 15th individual three-year-old winner for her young sire Darci Brahma who is currently leading the NZ 3YO Premiership by wins and winners. He sits three ahead of O’Reilly with 12 winners for 16 wins, with Pins and Fast n Famous in third place with just nine three-year-old winners apiece.

Rambo was thrilled with his filly’s win, and now aims her at the Listed Sunline Vase at Ellerslie on Auckland Cup Day in an attempt to make the Oaks field.

Santagostino has a two-year-old and yearling filly both by Darci Brahma that have been retained by Pencarrow Stud.