The Chris Waller-trained Sweet Scandal has spoiled the party for In Her Time, sweeping down the outside to deny the dual Group One winner a triumphant farewell.
Racing for the final time before she is sold as a broodmare prospect next month, In Her Time started favourite in Saturday's Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) and hit the front in the straight but was no match for the winner's finishing burst.
Trainer Kris Lees said In Her Time did the stable proud and proved the timing was right for retirement.
"She has run super,'' Lees said
"But today's race proves it is the right time to retire her.
"I think 12 months ago she would have found the length she needed to win.
"At least she goes out on a good performance. She has been a wonderful mare.''
The win was a welcome change of fortune for Sweet Scandal who has been plagued by wide gates.
She had to overcome an outside draw again at Rosehill on Saturday but with big-race jockey Glen Boss in the saddle, she proved up to the task.
"She has gone through her career, and in particular this preparation, and she's had bad barriers one after another," Waller said.
"Even today wasn't much better but good jockey, good horse, good result."
Waller said Sweet Scandal was likely to progress to the transferred Scone meeting in two weeks, which will be held at Randwick due to coronavirus restrictions.
Boss rode Sweet Scandal in a recent barrier trial and was confident she could run well with even luck.
"She has been dying to win a race. She is better than this class, she has just been one of those horses unlucky with draws and unlucky again today," Boss said.
"But she trialled up really well on Monday, I got the opportunity to ride her in a trial and I was just begging to be on her. She deserved that win."
Sweet Scandal ($14) scored by a neck over In Her Time ($3.40) with Dyslexic ($9) another long head away.