Delicacy Defying the Odds
18 January, 2017
Thoroughbred
Delicacy, the mare who needs no introduction but deserves every ounce of it, could be set to return to the track for the winter racing season.
Days after her phenomenal win in the 2016 Perth Cup, the daughter of Al Maher was found to have torn both front tendons, ending her spectacular career and breaking the hearts of racing fans.
In 2015, Delicacy overcame the likes of Winx to claim the Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year title as well as being crowned Western Australia’s Horse of the Year for the 2014/2015 season.
The dual Group One winning mare spent the most of 2016 in a rehabilitation programme to ensure paddock soundness.
Delicacy was expected to go to stud in September when she proved to owner/breeder Bob Peters that she was too young to be a mother and could wait another year or so.
“She seemed to be handling everything very well and we kept going.” Peters told TABRadio’s The Sports Daily.
“It came time to go (to stud) and I though we’ll just keep going and we’ll see what happens.
“She’s been virtually in work all year. She’s done very well, she’s worked every day.
“We will be cautious with her. If she shows any signs at all, any heat or stress we’ll just stop immediately.”
Peters was optimistic when he spoke of her quick recovery and enthusiasm in the paddock in spite of her large weight gain.
“Maybe two (tendons) is better than one, for most horses that do a tendon, when they come back the biggest problem is that they’ll do the other one.”
With a heart as big as hers, punters and racing fans had always held onto the dream of Delicacy returning to the track. It’s time for Delicacy to turn this dream into a reality.
Rebecca Shanks