Slightly Sweet wins 2017 Winter Stakes Listed $150,000 at Rosehill (NSW), 1400m.
In a race where the first five horses finished within a halflength, outsiders filled the first three placings. The narrow winner being the Jason Coyle-trained mare Slightly Sweet who settled down in ninth place, wide with cover. She then went deeper on turning for home, took a slender lead at the 100m and battled best under limit weight (53kg) to score in a photo.
Man Of His Word settled back in 11th place, tracked up nearing the home turn, commenced a wide run on straightening to challenge at the 100m. He then kept finishing well for a good second.
Elle Lou was a handy fifth (between runners), got a split to take a narrow lead at the 50m and then fought on for a close up third.
Shiraz raced in sixth place (between runners), got a split at the 200m, challenged shortly afterwards and battled on well for (0.4 lengths) fourth.
Burning Passion began well but was caught three wide, without cover outside the leading pair (Ninth Legion and Oxford Poet). He briefly got to the front at the 200m and then held on very well for (0.5 lengths) fifth after a difficult trip at his first start for new trainer Mark Newnham. The favourite Gold Symphony raced back in tenth place, was blocked on straightening and then ran on in restricted room for (2.1 lengths) 11th. His run should be overlooked.
