By Chris Roots
Ben Smith couldn't watch as apprentice Andrew Adkins rode In Her Time to victory in the Breeders Classic at Randwick on Saturday.
The battling trainer from Newcastle and 19-year-old apprentice combined for their biggest win in the group 2 race.
Big win: Andrew Adkins rides In Her Time to victory.Credit: bradleyphotos.com.au
Neither had had a black-type win before but Smith kept the faith with Adkins after he won on the mare at Canterbury. He rewarded the trainer with a ride that followed instructions.
He gave In Her Time space in the run and she showed the fighting qualities to claim victory by a half-neck from Egyptian Symbol with Flippant a half-length back in third.
"It was going to be a tight finish but she is very very tough and she showed that," Adkins said. "Nothing actually got in front of me and she was just too strong.
"She just kept fighting and it was a great win."
In Her Time overcame a tough run three-wide to win but looked beaten when Egyptian Symbol started to challenge. Her jockey Jason Collett briefly thought he had a feature double after winning the Eskimo Prince Stakes Man From Uncle.
"She travelled like the winner, loomed like the winner but didn't win," Collett said.
Smith had thought the same from the grandstand.
"I stop watching [when Egyptian Symbol loomed], I turned away and only turned back when the owners were cheering," Smith said. "It is easily my biggest win and you start to think it isn't going to happen.
"We were probably a bit too ambitious with her early on but now we have worked her out . It seems to work if we keep her fresh and space her runs.
"I said to Andrew don't panic I don't mind if you are three-wide. She is a much better horse with room, but it is a long way down that straight."
Adkins gave a salute of the whip after the post to celebrate.
"It is something to always remember your first group 2 winner at 19 years of age. It is pretty special," Adkins said.
"You dream of these days for it to come true. It is pretty special.
"The boss always told me don't rush these things let them happen when they are going to happen.
"Mr Smith was very good to keep me on after the last win and had faith in me, which was good."
In Her Time had a small hoof problem following the win at Canterbury a month ago and Smith opted for bar plates to take pressure off her hoof.
She went on to win a barrier trial, which gave Smith confidence to keep them on.
"We changed the gear pretty early after last start. We trialled her in the plates and she has been galloping in them so they weren't a worry. We were confident," Smith said.
"I'd like to keep her at the sprint distances at this stage but if she can settle a little bit more early on you'll see her up to 1400m."
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