In Her Time was overlooked for the $10 million The Everest earlier this week but a philosophical Benjamin Smith has shifted his focus to Melbourne's Group I sprints.
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The Newcastle trainer appeared to hold a key chance in the October 14 showpiece at Randwick after his mare won last Saturday's Group II Premiere Stakes (1200m) but when the 12-horse The Everest field was finalised by Monday – In Her Time was nowhere to be seen.
Despite missing out on a potential $580,000 windfall (equivalent to the trainer's 10 percent share of first prizemoney in The Everest), Smith is not one to dwell on what could have been.
"I thought we'd done enough first-up to warrant getting a spot but it's business you know," Smith said.
"It's a bit disappointing but we've got to move on – I'm not concentrating on that now."
The $500,000 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on The Everest program, would give In Her Time a faint hope of capitalising on a last-minute omission from The Everest field, but the daughter of Time Thief will instead chase a deserved Group I in her next two starts.
"Rather than stay in Sydney and wait for the consolation race we'll get her down to Melbourne and have crack at the Manikato Stakes and Darley Classic," Smith said.
"She's beaten Group I winners but she just hasn't been able to crack that Group I herself yet.
"She's such an honest horse, always tries her heart out and is a pleasure to train."
With Moonee Valley's Manikato Stakes (1200m) scheduled for October 27, many of The Everest and Sydney Stakes contenders could forego running in Melbourne only 13 days later.
"Those horses in the Everest and even the consolation race – you really don't know how many of them are going to make it back for the Manikato," Smith said.
"I think the month between runs will suit us. I don't think she's a horse you could run every fortnight. She goes better with her runs spaced.
"She'll improve with a bit of match fitness as well."
Smith is set to embark on his first Melbourne spring carnival mission in around 10 days' time.
"I've been to Melbourne a couple of times to watch the races during the spring so it will be nice to have a runner for once," he said.
"We'll let her settle in for the first week and I'm going to talk to Moonee Valley about her getting a look of the track before the race.
"I don't think she'll trial. The trip down there will be enough and she'll be cherry ripe to go."
Online bookmaker Sportsbet has In Her Time quoted at $11 to win the 2017 Manikato Stakes.
