A this time of year, thoughts turn to the breeding season and for many owners it’s a case of trying to snare a stakes win for a mare to give her the best chance at stud.
Slightly Sweet has already ticked the black-type box more than once and although she is about to turn six, the best may yet be to come.
Trainer Jason Coyle added blinkers to her gear this preparation and Slightly Sweet has switched back on to the racing game, running third in the Civic Stakes before winning the Listed Winter Stakes earlier this month, her first victory for more than two years.
As a three-year-old, Slightly Sweet won the Group Three Keith Nolan Classic and James H B Carr Stakes but lost her way in between.
She steps out in Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge with hopes high for a repeat.
The mare is owned by the Esplin family who are in no hurry to retire her.
“We probably still won’t know after Saturday whether she will be retired,” Hamish Esplin said.
“It will be a family discussion but we’re not early retirers.
“Plucky Belle won the Coolmore as a six-year-old.”
The Esplin-owned Plucky Belle won the 2015 Coolmore Classic and last year produced a colt by Animal Kingdom.
If Slightly Sweet can stay in the zone a tilt at the Group One Coolmore in the autumn is something to consider.
“There are so many options for mares in the autumn,” Esplin said.
“We could give her a break and bring her back then.”
The mare has started in double figures at her past two starts and is a $12 chance with Civic Stakes winner Gold Symphony the TAB’s $4.60 favourite to make up for his unplaced effort in the Winter Stakes.
Slightly Sweet will again be ridden by Jess Taylor.
