Smith has In Her Time back with one goal in mind: to win the group 1 win “she deserves”. The Galaxy and TJ Smith are her targets after showing herself to be up with the best sprinters in the country in the spring.

"We know she is up to that level and it is just a case of getting her to the track fit and well to show it," Smith said. "She has been too close a couple of times and you just start to wonder when is it going to be her turn.”

After being Stradbroke runner-up and placed in the Tatts Tiara, In Her Time took another step up in the spring, winning the Premiere Stakes against The Everest contenders before taking the Sydney Stakes as a consolation when she didn’t get an Everest slot.

Another group 1 runner-up finish in the Manikato Stakes was the last time she was seen but Smith said the time off has worked in her favour as she has  matured and grown.

“We were a bit worried when she was getting towards 500kg in the spring but she is 520 kilos now and just a whole lot stronger,” he said. “Her trial was outstanding the other day and everything points to her having her best preparation.

“She is up in group 1 company now, so there is nowhere to hide."

Smith has called on Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton to ride In Her Time, which drew gate 13, with Corey Brown suspended.

“It is disappointing that Corey can’t ride her but I have known Zac for years and it is good we can call on someone with as much experience as he has,” Smith said.

In Her Time is the $4 favourite in front of mudlark and another multiple group 1-placed sprinter Jungle Edge at $4.40 with Godolphin colt Virdine and Snitty Kitty at $5.50.

James Cummings is confident about Viridine’s chances after he was fourth in track record time  to Redzel in the Challenge Stakes, a race where Jungle Edge was the runner-up.

“Viridine has really improved off his first-up run. To my eye he’s tightened up,” he said. “We were all really impressed with his run, but we were even more impressed with him on Tuesday morning when he monstered the line in a track gallop.”