In Her Time enjoys Black Caviar Lightning Stakes success for Lees

So often the bridesmaid in the feature race sprints, the six-year-old mare In Her Time managed to overcome a ruined pre-race plan to eclipse the best sprinters in the land in the $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

"She's been knocking on the door to win one of these major Group 1s for a long time," said trainer Kris Lees.

"She's so honest. Things didn't go to plan there but it was a wonderful ride from Corey [Brown]."

In Her Time, who had been trained by Ben Smith until he was stood down by stewards pending an investigation at the start of the season, had won the Group 1 Galaxy last year but has also five times been placed at the elite level - the last of those in last spring's VRC Sprint Classic won by Santa Ana Lane.

Lightning Stakes result

Lees and Brown had decided before the race that, from barrier one, they would follow the two-year-old filly Jedastar, who drew barrier two, but that plan was soon in pieces after Jedastar missed the start.

"She was exposed the whole race but Corey summed it up early and took up the running on the inside and that was probably the winning move," said Lees.

In Her Time fought off the challengers, headed by favourite Sunlight, and then had to withstand a powerful finishing burst from Osborne Bulls to score by a short head.

Lees' plan to take the big autumn sprint double - the Lightning and Newmarket Handicap - could hit a snag as a stablemate may provide the biggest danger in the race.

The three-year-old Graff returned to racing with an encouraging fourth placing and he is certain to be favoured back in handicap conditions.

Tommy Berry lamented the sit-sprint tempo of the Lightning aboard Graff, but also believes the Star Witness colt will be suited by the Newmarket.

"They probably didn't go as quick as I thought they would early, which left the race to turn into a bit of a sit-sprint," said Berry.

"He was really strong late. He's ready for the Newmarket."

Jedastar finished a distant last with the effort of apprentice Chris Caserta wasting to ride at 44kg going unrewarded.

"As soon as she missed the kick that was the end of her race," said Caserta. "She didn't have a turn of foot as I thought she would."

For complete coverage of racing and bloodstock in Australia and New Zealand, download ANZ Bloodstock News every day

http://www.anzbloodstocknews.com/issue