Crossword Genius

Figure that would make sixty in the sty (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nine

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'figure' is the definition.
(I know that nine is a type of figure)

'would make sixty in the sty' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'in' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ne' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'that' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nine that I've seen before include "Number of players in a baseball fielding team" , "SECOND PART OF 14" , "dancing ladies?" , "'Possession is... points of the law'" , "Number of Muses and days in a Novena" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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