More black-type a goal for Slightly Sweet

Slightly Sweet runs in the Winter Stakes. Photo courtesy Daryl Duckworth.

Slightly Sweet’s last run left Jason Coyle with a faintly bitter aftertaste, and the Sydney trainer has also found the draw for the Winter Stakes at Rosehill a concern.

Keen for the five-year-old mare to add more black-type to her record before retirement, Coyle said barrier 13 presented an obstacle as Slightly Sweet goes deep into her likely last preparation.

“I’d have loved to drawn soft to get that nice run off the speed somewhere,” Coyle said.

“She’s probably going to need a little bit of luck in that first furlong but based on her last start she’s got to be some hope.”

Coyle was positive Slightly Sweet should have complemented Group Three wins in the Keith Nolan Classic and James Carr Stakes in 2015 with some luck in the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill on July 1.

She was blocked for a run at the 400m and had to settle for third, two lengths behind Gold Symphony who also runs in Saturday’s 1400m-feature.

“We were probably a shade unlucky. We got held up at that crucial stage but her run was terrific,” Coyle said.

Slightly Sweet is four runs into this campaign and Coyle said her owners may send her to stud after the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill in a fortnight.

“This is possibly it,” he said.

“If you take away her first-up failure at Hawkesbury, I think she’s found that three-year-old form. She’s a lot closer to that than she was in her last few preps.

“I think it’s a slight drop in grade, blinkers on and getting a mare with a bit more confidence have been the keys to racing a little bit better this time in.”

Coyle also has in-form filly Insensata seeking to go back-to-back in a Benchmark Handicap (1350m) after she scored over 1500m at Rosehill a fortnight ago.

“She’s drawn well (4) in a small field and she’s got a good turn of foot,” he said.

“I think she might be able to take a step out of Saturday grade and possibly end up a stakes mare.”

Credit: AAP

Stay up to date with the latest racing news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest racing news!