Emotions were running high in the mounting yard at Kembla Grange on Friday following a brave win by promising filly Slightly Sweet in the Keith Nolan Classic (1600m).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The horse's part-owner Hamish Esplin dedicated the win to his late father Phillip, and jockey Kathy O'Hara had the memory of Guy Walter in her head as she passed the post.
Phillip Esplin was one of the founding directors of Arrowfield Stud, served on the board of the Australian Jockey Club, and as a director and chairman of Racing NSW.
He passed away in 2011.
He bred a number of gallopers, including Slightly Sweet who stormed home to win the $200,000 feature by the barest of margins.
The filly's maiden victory also happened to fall on the anniversary of Hamish Esplin's parents' wedding anniversary.
"Couldn't be happier," Esplin said in the mounting yard.
"The main reason is 45 years ago today my parents were married, and my dad bred this horse.
"We're a family business so it means a lot to us, days like this.
"Breeding fillies, retaining them, bringing them to places like this, young up and coming trainers, young jockeys, it's outstanding."
Slightly Sweet travelled well for the entire trip and got to the outside of Chris Wallers' Wine Tales at the top of the straight.
The two fillies battled it out right to the post, and it was Slightly Sweet which was awarded the bob of the head.
Star Sydney jockey Kathy O'Hara, who completed her apprenticeship at Kembla Grange, was beaming as she returned to the applause of onlookers.
"I knew I was following the right horse in the race," O'Hara said.
"I was really happy with the run, I followed Jimmy [Jim Cassidy] everywhere he went.
"She did take a long time to get there but I always felt confident she was going to get there."
O'Hara admitted it was an emotional win for her as she looked skyward to acknowledge the late Guy Walter.
Walter, a five-time winner of the Keith Nolan Classic, passed away not long after winning last year's Classic with Zanbagh.
O'Hara and Walter had a very tight working relationship when she was coming through the apprecntice ranks.
"He's [Walter's] had plenty of fillies in the past win this race and lots of horses that I've had a bit to do with," O'Hara said.
"It's a shame that he's not here to see it but I'm sure he's watching."
Slighty Sweet's trainer Jason Coyle was thrilled with the run and plans to take her to the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill later this month.
