It was a lightning mare’s time to shine again

5 min read
A bunch of supremely talented youngsters descended on the G1 Black Caviar Lightning H. at Flemington, but it was the wise old sprinting head that triumphed when In Her Time showed there was no substitute for experience.

In Her Time (Time Thief) is well used to the heat of the battle in the most competitive of short course challenges and the 6-year-old mare showed she was up for it again. She resumed in fine fashion for trainer Kris Lees and owner Peter Brown with a super Lightning strike.

A quartet of Group 1 performed 3-year-olds lined up in the dash for cash as well as a juvenile, but they all bowed to In Her Time.

The only previous winner of the feature dash at her age is the unbeaten champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and while there is no comparison between the two, even the great mare would have given a nod of appreciation to In Her Time.

She has been around the best of company for a while with success in last season’s G1 The Galaxy, multiple Group 2 wins and placings at the highest level in the VRC Sprint Classic, the TJ Smith S., Manikato S., Tatt’s Tiara and the Stradbroke H.

“She’s been knocking on the door and I’ve got to thank (former trainer) Ben Smith who did a wonderful job with this mare throughout her career,” Lees said. “And to Peter Brown for giving me the opportunity to train her.”

“She got a wonderful ride from Corey to hold off the fast-finishing second horse.” – Kris Lees.

The mare was transferred to Lees’ Broadmeadow operation after Smith’s licence was suspended last spring following swab irregularities.

In Her Time hadn’t been seen out since November, but Lees was confident of a bold showing from her in the hands of regular partner Corey Brown.

“She’s got a fresh record and she’s good down the straight,” he said. “She got a wonderful ride from Corey to hold off the fast-finishing second horse.”

In Her Time winning the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S.

In Her Time sat in behind the pace before launching her final run to glory with Osborne Bulls (Street Cry) arriving late to cut the favourite Sunlight (Zoustar) out of third.

“We’ll keep her fresh for the Newmarket now, she loves her races well-spaced,” Lees said.

“We’ll keep her fresh for the Newmarket now, she loves her races well-spaced.” – Kris Lees.

The successful jockey was over the moon with the result and thrilled to be associated with such a genuine performer.

“I’m rapt, especially for the mare. I joined her half-way through her career and to get this Group 1 is a job well done.

“The pace was solid and I thought I’d drawn the wrong side but then when I got her and saw the pattern of the track I elected to come to the middle of the track.

Trainer Kris Lees (left) with jockey Corey Brown (right)

“I didn’t want her racing by herself and she travelled up really sweetly and I pushed her hands and heels. She didn’t win by a big margin, but it was a tough win.

“I joined her half-way through her career and to get this Group 1 is a job well done.” – Corey Brown.

“She’s much better over 1200 metres and she’s just a true professional. She’s an absolute gem to ride.”

In Her Time is out of Hell It’s Hot (Zeditave), who won on two occasions, and she is a half-sister to the G3 Shorts H. winner Hot As Hell (County) and to the Listed winner Flaming Hot and Craig’s Dragon (Catbird).

Osborne Bulls turned in a terrific effort to finish runner-up in his first appearance since winning the G3 TAB S. in November off the back of placing in The Everest.

“She was really good. They went really quick and she got a little tired late.” – Tony McEvoy.

The favourite Sunlight also pleased trainer Tony McEvoy with her effort for third, the 3-year-old appearing for the first time since her triumph in the G1 Coolmore Stud S.

Osborne Bulls (blue silks), Sunlight (white, stars) and In Her Time (yellow, black sleeves) head the field for the Lightning S.

“She was really good. They went really quick and she got a little tired late,” he said. “I’m very proud of her and she’ll definitely improve.”

Fourth home was the winner’s stablemate Graff (Star Witness) with the 3-year-old making his first start since running fifth in The Everest.

“He’ll go back to a handicap in the Newmarket and that will help him.” – Kris Lees.

“He raced a little fiercely early and he will come on really well with that,” Lees said.

“He’ll go back to a handicap in the Newmarket and that will help him.”

It didn’t end well for the baby of the line-up with Lloyd Kennewell’s 2-year-old Jedastar (I Am Invincible) tardily into stride and she was never a factor, but all credit to her connections for having a crack. Her inclusion added greatly to the pre-race build-up.