Leading owner-breeder Bob Peters collected his fourth WATC Derby trophy in the last five years when Delicacy beat the colts in the Group 2 classic at Ascot on Saturday.

The Al Maher filly joins Respondent (2014), Mystic Prince (2013), Dreamaway (2011), Old Money (2000) and Natasha (1990) in his roll-call of WATC Derby winners in the last 25 years.

Delicacy dipped as the start but overcame the tardy getaway to sprint clear of her rivals for a convincing victory over Keysbrook (So Secret) and Boom Time (Flying Spur).

“She picked herself up and got the job done again,” a relieved Peters said as William Pike brought the winner back to scale.  “She didn’t show us much early on – it’s been a real surprise the way she has just kept performing.”

Delicacy had won the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes, LR 1000 Guineas, LR Natasha Stakes and G3 WA Oaks before going out an odds-on favourite against the colts in the classic.  Unplaced once in 12 starts, she has earned $863,400 including Westspeed bonuses of $102,500.

Her dam Simply Wicked (Scenic) is owned by Scenic Lodge and she foaled an Al Maher colt in September and is back in foal to Blackfriars.

Peters and his wife Sandra have dominated the Perth scene winning an amazing 22 stakes races this season but there have been setbacks along the way.  The Perth couple suffered a heart-breaking loss in January when their G1 Railway Stakes winner Elite Belle died on a flight to Melbourne.