Sweet Treat wins Staphanos Classic Listed, NZ$50,000 at Arawa Park, 1950m.
A preference for heavy tracks played into the hands of unfancied Sweet Treat who ploughed along the inner for her maiden stakes win and fifth career win (all on heavy tracks).
She settled fifth early and a handy sixth at the 1000m. Saving ground from the 600m she waited and turning in poked through along the inner, starting the run home sharing the lead.
Once balanced her young rider kept shaking the reins, she found the lead and kept going, out by three quarters of a length at the line.
Charlie Horse sat midfield from the 1200m, improved along the fence to be handier inside the 800m and grabbed a share of the lead prior to straightening.
The winner got the upper hand in the straight but he gamely ground on for second.
Strolling Vagabond was a handy third at the 600m, still third into the straight and battled away well to hold his position while Pacorus ,fourth turning in, also battled on for fourth.
