A solid barrier trial hit out at Newcastle on Wednesday has smart sprinting mare In Her Time ticking over nicely for the 2018 $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13.

In Her Time, above, is ticking over nicely heading towards the 2018 The Everest at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

In Her Time, above, is ticking over nicely heading towards the 2018 The Everest at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

In Her Time found her way in leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ stables in controversial circumstances after her former trainer Ben Smith was suspended for giving false evidence to Racing New South Wales stewards at an inquiry into unidentified products found at his stables.

Lees was happy with the way In Her Time arrived at his stables and was delighted with her barrier trial that saw her eased down on the line when second to the fast finishing stablemate El Dorado Dreaming, who was also handed over by Smith.

“She is pretty forward. Her track gallop last Friday indicated that. She didn’t blow as much as Corey expected,” Lees told Sky Racing.

“She has come through that really well and today’s trial.”

“She is in pretty good order and I think she will be most competitive in the Premiere Stakes.”

In Her Time has been racing consistently at the top level for the last twelve months and broke through for her first Group 1 win with victory in the $700,000 The PFD Food Services Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill during the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival.

In Her Time followed that win with a third to Trapeze Artist in the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick before missing a place when ninth to English in the Group 1 $700,000 Kirin Doomben 10,000 (1200m) at Doomben during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

Lees will give In Her Time one lead up run into The Everest when she goes around in the Group 2 $500,000 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 29.

In Her Time had struggled with hoof problems in the past but Lees said that the mare’s feet were in good condition heading towards The Everest.

“Her feet seem quite good at the moment. Her bar plates were on in the trial but she won’t be racing in them, but at the moment they are in good order,” Lees said.

“She is healthy but I reckon her coat will clean up a little bit more now that we are getting those longer days.”

In Her Time will race for slot holders TAB in The Everest and is listed as a $12 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au who have last year’s winner Redzel and the Gerald Ryan trained Trapeze Artist as the $5 equal favourites.

Confirmed runners for the 2018 The Everest: Trapeze Artist (Aquis, slot holder), In Her Time (TAB),  Redzel (Yulong Investments), Brave Smash (Chris Waller Racing), Shoals (The Star), English (Damion Flower), Santa Ana Lane (Inglis), U S Navy Flag (Coolmore), Vega Magic (James Harron) and Invincible Star (GPI Racing), Nature Strip (ATC) with one remaining slot yet to be filled.

Early betting for the 2018 The Everest at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5 Redzel, Trapeze Artist, $6.50 Nature Strip, Vega Magic, $12 Santa Ana Lane, In Her Time, $14 U S Navy Flag, Invincible Star, $18 Home Of The Brave, Shoals, $21 English, $26 Brave Smash, $31 Pierata, $34 Winx, $41 Jungle Cat, Prompt Response, $61 Graff, Kemeno, Le Romain, Voodoo Lad, Viddora.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.