After placing in three Group Ones, the Stradbroke Handicap, Tatt's Tiara and Manikato Stakes the Benjamin Smith-trained In Her Time earned a belated win at the elite level in Saturday's Group I The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.
With visiting Hong Kong-based Zac Purton in the saddle, In Her Time came from just off the speed set by Ball Of Muscle to defeat the fast-finishing English by three-quarter-length with Viridine the same distance back in third. (photo Steve Hart) .
"It's a long way to come, it's pretty easy to just stay at home, but I enjoy riding these big races on these big days, obviously you've got nice horses and to win a race like this it really makes it worthwhile," Purton said.
The 5yo daughter of Time Thief advances her record to 8 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third from 18 starts with earnings of $1,890,725.
"I don't know what to feel at the moment, it probably hasn't sunk in yet," Smith said.
"It's something we've targeted for a long time now, winning a Group I with this mare, and to finally get it is a bit of a shock.
"It's a massive relief. After knocking on the door for so long you start to think it might not happen but the way she came back this time in we were just absolutely wrapped and we'd been hoping she would do that today."
Smith said next month's Group I TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick is the goal for In Her Time this autumn.
Bred by the estate of the late David Cobcroft, In Her Time was consigned to the 2014 Inglis Classic Yearling sale by Kanangra Stud, where she failed to make her $40,000 reserve.
The first Group 1 winner for the now South African-based Time Thief,, In Her Time is the seventh foal of the Zeditave mare Hell It's Hot a half-sister to Group III winner Hot As Hell, Listed winner Flaming Hot, Hong Kong Stakes winner Craig's Dragon and the 5-time winner Harlem Heat the dam of Listed winner Harlem River.
Hell It's Hot has a 2yo colt filly by Dream Ahead (USA), and a yearling filly by Olympic Glory (IRE).
She had a filly foal by Artie Schiller (USA) on August 30 and was covered by Grandview Stud's Group I Stradbroke Handicap winner Under The Louvre last spring.
