The Everest: In Her Time joins all-star cast as slot-holder Inglis locks in multiple Group 1-winning mare

Redemption can be sweet with In Her Time becoming the fifth runner to secure a slot in the $14 million TAB Everest late this year and a shot at improving on her surprise seventh in last year’s edition.

Brilliant mare In Her Time has been confirmed as the fifth sprinter into the field for the $14 million TAB Everest late this year.

And Perth’s boom filly Arcadia Queen has emerged as a likely contender for The Everest and the $7.5 million Golden Eagle during the Sydney spring carnival.

There’s still nearly five months to The Everest, the world’s richest turf race, but the Royal Randwick sprint, run on October 19, continues to be a huge discussion point in racing with slot selections ramping up early this year.

The Kris Lees-trained In Her Time was on Friday snapped up by slot-holder Inglis, the leading thoroughbred auction firm, as their Everest.

In Her Time joins Sunlight (slot holders Max Whitby and Neil Werrett), Santa Ana Lane (TAB), Pierata (Aquis) and Classique Legend (owner Bon Ho purchased the GPI Racing slot for 2019 only) as Everest starters.

With Arcadia Queen likely to be selected by a slot-holder as early as next week, this will leave only six slots still available for The Everest with the likes of second favourite Osborne Bulls and dual Everest winner Redzel still without a definite start.

In Her Time struggled in the heavy conditions in last year’s Everest but given the right conditions she is easily among the top sprinters in the land.

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In Her Time ran seventh in The Everest last year but was inconvenienced by the heavy track.

At her next start, she ran second to the world’s best sprinter Santa Ana Lane in the Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic before returning in autumn to beat Everest rivals Osborne Bulls and Sunlight in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes before suffering a hoof problem with sixth in the Newmarket Handicap.

“We’ve had In Her Time back in light work for about 10 days now and she has never been better, she looks really well,’’ Lees said.

“The beauty of getting in early means we can just target The Everest. I would say she is most likely to run in The Shorts four weeks out and if she needs another run then she could go to the Premiere Stakes.

“If we get a firm track, then this mare is right around the top sprinters in the country.’’

In Her Time is part-owned by Orbis Bloodstock which spent more than $11 million on yearlings at Inglis Sales this year.

In Her Time wins the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning in February.

“We’re so excited to have secured a slot so early for In Her Time and we thank Inglis for backing this mare and backing our decision to invest in her,’’ said Paul King of Orbis Bloodstock.

“In Her Time has proven herself capable of beating the best sprinters in the land on her day.

“Kris is confident he will get the mare to peak on Everest Day and if Kris has that belief and confidence, we’re happy to share in that with him.’’

NEWS: It is with great excitement we announce our slot runner for the 2019 #TheEverest, to be run at Randwick @atc_races on Saturday October 19. @racing_nsw @Racing @SkyRacingAU @7horseracing @superracing @dailybailey10 @dailytelegraph @orbisbloodstock @Leesracing pic.twitter.com/yAVnvgbk86

— Inglis (@inglis_sales) May 31, 2019

Inglis managing director Mark Webster said In Her Time is a graduate of the Inglis Classic Sale and her sire, Time Thief came out of the Inglis Easter Sales.

“We’re delighted to be partnering up with the trainer Kris Lees and owners Peter Brown and Orbis Bloodstock,’’ Webster said.

Everest sleeper? The talented Graff at Kris Lees’ Newcastle stables.

“In the past few years The Everest has taken all before it, it’s captured everybody’s imagination and at $14 million this year, we think that will only grow.’’

“In Her Time is already a multiple Group 1 winner, she’s a star of the track, she’s represented the company with distinction for many years now and we can’t wait to team up with her ahead of and for The Everest.’’

Lees is also hopeful of getting Graff into The Everest again this spring. He ran in the race last year and finished fifth.

“Graff is the sleeper,’’ Lees said. “I think you will see a very good horse when he comes back in the spring.

“He’s back in work because we need to get him up and going in the spring so he can press for an Everest slot. We are also looking at running him in the Golden Eagle, too.’’