Crossword Genius

Winner finds pliant centre in saddle spot? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

victoria

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

'saddle spot?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'winner finds pliant centre' is the wordplay.
'winner' becomes 'victor' (synonyms).
'finds' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'centre' says to take the centre.
The central letters of 'pliant' are 'ia'.
'victor'+'ia'='VICTORIA'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for victoria that I've seen before include "Monarch" , "Queen (eighteen thirty seven to nineteen hundred and one)" , "Queenly" , "Queen and Falls" , "place where one may be stationed?" .)

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