The Dubbo-based jockey and Orange-trained mare have made a good pairing in the past and that was apparent in their second finish at Bathurst late last month, even more so as their combination made for a spectacular victory in the Keirles Pharmacy Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1700 metres).

After jumping from barrier five with 57kg on her back the Sonja Sharp-trained five-year-old looked a real danger of falling out the back of the pack early, which would've signalled a missed chance to return to the form which netted a win at the same track in April.

But the nature of the race forced Dunbar to make a move midway through the run and that proved a masterstroke as he eventually steered Sass'n'Twinkle to a one-and-a-half length victory, claiming the $22,000 winner's cheque.

"She won a maiden here and it was a bit of a mixed bag of a race, they went, then they stopped, then they went, then they stopped," Dunbar told Sky Racing afterwards.

"I like a long race for a reason, because she hasn't got a great deal of dash, they were all sitting there cantering at the top of the hill.

"So I thought I'd better get on my bike and get going."

The victory was Sass'n'Twinkle's second in a 25-start career although she's become somewhat of a special to fill the minor placings, with 10 other second of third finishes in that time.