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Slightly Sweet has produced a strong finish to claim victory in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Slightly Sweet came into the race off pretty solid form, first running fourth in the Octagonal Handicap before running on well for second in the Listed Civic Stakes behind Gold Symphony.
The rising six-year-old mare returned a Timeform rating of 103 her highest since the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes late last year and seven pounds higher than her effort in the Civic Stakes.
Slightly Sweet is the first mare to win the race since Irish Dream in 2012 who ran to 105 when beating See The World with 2016 winner Oxford Poet running to 104.
Since 1998, Jess Taylor became the first female jockey to win the race with Kathy O'hara in second making it a quinella for the female hoops.
Of the beaten runners, Man Of His Word ran to a new career peak Timeform figure of 105, one pound above his placing in the Glasshouse quality the start prior with Elle Lou also running to 105 off consistent form prior.
Washington Heights has come back in terrific order, coming from well back in the field to win the Benchmark 93 over 1200m and looks set for a big campaign.
The Gerald Ryan-trained runner returned a Timeform figure of 107p, his highest since running second in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes in 2014.
Very lightly raced for a five-year-old. Washington Heights had not been seen in over a year after a preparation in Hong Kong which yielded two wins from four starts and is certainly one to follow going forward this campaign.
Sir Plush not far away in second continues to run well and returned a Timeform figure of 100, four pounds higher than his previous effort and the same figure he ran to when winning at Rosehill three starts back.
Inz'n'out produced his strongest effort of the campaign to run third and ran to a Timeform figure of 103, his highest since the Starlight Stakes at Rosehill late last year.
Collateral was able to return to the winners circle back to the 2000m in the Schweppes Benchamrk 78 with Tim Clark on board.
Carrying 60kg, the Bjorn Baker-trained runner was too strong for The Gavel in second with Life O'Brien not far away in third.
Collateral returned a new career peak Timeform figure of 98, two pounds above his fourth placing at Warwick Farm the start prior.
With a strong career record, Collateral has earned just shy of $300,000 in prizemoney from eight wins and since coming to Sydney has on five of his eight starts, placing on a further two occasions.
Showing good improvement and versatility since joining the Baker stable, the rising six-year-old gelding could now progress to some staying black type races with good success.
