In Her Time to miss Stradbroke Handicap

Group One-winning mare In Her Time will miss the Stradbroke Handicap with connections deciding to give her a break to concentrate on The Everest.

The Ben Smith-trained mare, who finished second to Impending in Brisbane’s premier sprint last year, secured Tabcorp’s slot in the $13 million Everest in October after her win in The Galaxy and third in the TJ Smith Stakes.

Smith said the decision had been made to give her a few weeks off before she starts her Everest preparation.

Her withdrawal from the Stradbroke frees up Corey Brown stick with three-year-old Champagne Cuddles in the 1350m-race at Doomben on June 9 with the Bjorn Baker-trained filly receiving 50kg when weights were released on Monday.

Champagne Cuddles finished third in Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup at Doomben carrying 55kg.

The race was won by last year’s Stradbroke winner Impending who will have to carry 57.5kg to defend his title, five kilos more than a year ago.

Le Romain, a close second in the Kingsford Smith, is the 58kg Stradbroke topweight.

Impending is the TAB’s $5 favourite ahead of Champagne Cuddles at $6 and Le Romain at $8 alongside Impending’s Godolphin stablemate Osborne Bulls who finished midfield in a Randwick barrier trial on Monday.

The Matt Dunn-trained Care To Think, who finished 3-1/2 lengths from Impending on Saturday, is an $11 chance alongside Perast for the Stradbroke.

Care To Think will carry 52.5kg while the Paul Perry-trained three-year-old Perast has 50kg.

The colt came into calculations after gaining a Stradbroke ballot exemption with his win in Saturday’s Fred Best Classic at Doomben.

English (55kg) and Santa Ana Lane (55.5kg) are both at $15 with all others in the market at $21 or more.

In Her Time was a $10 chance in Stradbroke Handicap betting.

TAB Everest runner In Her Time will now be heading to the spelling paddock to concentrate on the Everest. @tabcomau @SkyRacingAU @craigkerry77 @AndrewBensley @RayThomas_1 @Coreyjockey pic.twitter.com/Y1dv4YPxN4

— Ben Smith Racing (@BenSmithRacing1) May 28, 2018