In Her Time showed an impressive will to win to deliver trainer Ben Smith the biggest win of his career in the 2017 Breeders Classic at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

In Her Time was too tough for Egyptian Symbol in the Breeders Classic at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

In Her Time was easily the biggest drifter in the Breeders Classic field and was unwanted by punters after it was revealed that she would wear bar plates and it was Egyptian Symbol and I Am Zelady that were easily the best-backed horses in the field.

Egyptian Symbol looked as though she had the race won when she got her head in front of In Her Time at the 100 metre mark, but In Her Time fought back courageously in the final stages of the race to take the win.

Jockey Andrew Adkins was delighted to record one of the biggest victories of his career in the Breeders Classic and he was quick to pay credit to the training performance of Ben Smith.

“The trainer himself has done a terrific job with her,” Adkins said.

“He has done it tough during the early part of his career and he is one that needs that.

“He has done all the hard yards to get her here and she has performed today in that class.

“She attacked the line really well.”

Ben Smith has had a number of health and financial setbacks since he started his training career and there was no doubt that the Breeders Classic victory of In Her Time meant a great deal to him.

The Newcastle-based trainer said that the application of bar plates would not be an issue for In Her Time, but he did admit that he thought Egyptian Symbol had won the race when she headed his filly in the final stages.

“She certainly blew, but we were always confident,” Smith said.

“We trialed her in the plates and she has been galloping in them, so they weren’t a worry.

“She has great determination and I told Andrew don’t be afraid if you get stuck three wide because she just needs room.

“I stopped watching and turned away when Egyptian Symbol loomed and I didn’t look back until I saw the owners cheering.

Egyptian Symbol and Flippant both produced credible performances, while Danish Twist savaged the line late in an eye-catching run.