Schmaltzy stuff in SPECTRE - a clever sequence (7)

I believe the answer is:

treacle

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'schmaltzy stuff' is the definition.
'treacle' can be an answer for 'stuff' (I have seen 'cloying stuff' mean 'treacle' so perhaps 'stuff' could also mean 'treacle'). I'm not sure about the 'schmaltzy' bit.

'in spectre a clever sequence' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'TREACLE' is hidden in the letters of 'spectre a clever sequence'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for treacle that I've seen before include "Something sticky" , "Thick, sticky, dark syrup" , "Something cloyingly sweet" , "Electra (anag)" , "Golden syrup" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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