Consolation prize for In Her Time

Trainer Ben Smith has won the Sydney Stakes after In Her Time was overlooked for the Everest.

Ben Smith was philosophical after In Her Time won won the consolation prize, the race he did not want to run her in on Everest Day.

The first emergency for the $10 million showpiece at Randwick proved she would not have been out of place in the main event after claiming the $500,000 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

In Her Time could not earn a slot at last notice after winning the Premiere Stakes a fortnight ago and the Newcastle-based trainer masked his disappointment well after the mare went perilously close to breaking Deploy’s course record.

She unleashed late to reel in eventual third placegetter Ball Of Muscle ($9.50) at the 50m to clock 1:08.26. Everest runner Deploy’s mark is 1:08.06.

“It was good. I was a bit worried the way she put on weight during the week. I thought she might have been a bit big,” Smith said.

“She came out and got the job done in a good time.”

In Her Time, ridden by Corey Brown, held off fast-finishing Impending ($7.50) to win by a short neck, avenging her loss by a neck to the Godolphin horse when they ran in June’s Stradbroke Handicap.

“I know which race I’d rather win but I’ll take it,” Smith said.

In Her Time now heads for the Group One Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on October 27.

Smith naturally hoped to have In Her Time line up in the Everest in 12 months time.

“It would be nice, yeah, it would be nice,” he said.