In Her Time was overlooked for a shot at $10 million in The Everest but deservedly picked up the consolation prize with victory in the $500,000 Listed Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Trainer Benjamin Smith had been waiting to be approached by an Everest slot holder after the mare won the Group II Premiere Stakes (1200m) first-up from a spell on October 1 but the call never came.
Not one to dwell on what could have been, Smith wore a beaming smile after Corey Brown expertly guided In Her Time ($2.35 fav) to her seventh career win.
The Group I Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate eve now awaits the daughter of Time Thief.
"The way she put on weight during the week I thought she might have been a bit big but she came out and got the job done today," Smith said.
"I wanted to leave a bit in the tank for Melbourne so for her to do that today is amazing.
"Corey has had two rides on her now and both of them have been 10 out of 10."
Godolphin's Impending ($7.50), runner-up by short neck, was ironically the horse that denied In Her Time victory in the Group I Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) during the winter.
"I know which race I'd rather win but we'll take it today," Smith said.
Joe Pride's Ball Of Muscle ($9.50) was again brave in defeat, finishing a further length away in third – his second placing in three runs this campaign.
