She missed out on a shot at the world’s richest race on turf last spring but Benjamin Smith’s gun mare In Her Time has secured her position in The Everest 2018 field this October.

Last start All Aged Stakes winning three-year-old Trapeze Artist became the first official runner confirmed for a shot at the $13 million Restricted The Everest (1200m) earlier in the week, Gerald Ryan’s star youngster racing for Aquis Farm.

In Her Time joined him on Thursday as the confirmed The Everest horses in 2018, the Time Thief five-year-old representing Australian wagering operator Tabcorp in the Royal Randwick feature on October 13.

“We really think we have picked the right horse,” Tabcorp’s Adam Rytenskild told The Daily Telegraph.

“At TAB we embrace our Australian heritage and our brand values really resonates alongside In Her Time’s story.

“We are over the moon to be involved in The Everest again and to be working with Racing NSW, the ATC [Australian Turf Club] and trainer Ben Smith.

“We look forward to bringing some of our TAB customers along for the ride of a lifetime.”

Last Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival In Her Time had to settle for a consolation prize at Randwick winning the Listed $500,000 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on The Everest Day in faster time (1:08.26) than Redzel won the inaugural running of The Everest race (1:08.36).

She has had three runs since for two Group 1 placings and her first-up win in Rosehill’s Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) in late March.

Her latest run at Randwick on April 7 during ‘The Championships’ saw her finish four lengths back third to Trapeze Artist in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m), just back from the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Redzel in second.

“In Her Time has kept improving and was extremely unlucky in the TJ Smith after a brilliant win in The Galaxy,” Rytenskild added.

The announcement that In Her Time had secured the second slot in the 12-horse The Everest field came as a relief to her Newcastle horseman Smith who can now being the six-month preparation to have her peaking on the day.

“We are locked in for The Everest now which gives me the chance to sit down and properly plan her schedule,” he said.

“We are not rushed, we won’t have to worry about qualifying the mare, we can just concentrate on preparing her for the race.”

Smith also wrote on Twitter that he believed In Her Time was going better than last season making her a genuine hope for the country’s premier sprint.

“We are extremely excited to be part of The Everest this year and really look forward to working with TAB. She is a better horse this season than she was last and we are really grateful to the TAB for this wonderful opportunity,” @BenSmithRacing1 tweeted.

In Her Time is scheduled to run next-up on May 12 heading to Brisbane for the winter’s Group 1 $700,000 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) where she will face off against reigning The Everest champion Redzel once again.

“My plan is for the mare to run in the Doomben 10,000 then go back up to Brisbane for the [Group 1] Stradbroke Handicap [on June 9 at Doomben],” Smith confirmed.

“She will then have a break and basically I’m going to give her a similar preparation to last spring by running her in the [Group 2] Premiere Stakes [over 1200m at Randwick on September 29] then The Everest — she has a red-hot, second-up record.

“I remember Everest Day last year, the atmosphere was great last year and we were in a support race. It will be great to be a part of it this year.”

All-in The Everest odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Trapeze Artist ($4.50) and Redzel ($5) as the favourites, while In Her Time can be found at $9.

As for the Doomben 10,000 next month where Redzel defends his title, futures betting has last year’s winner as the $2.50 favourite followed by In Her Time ($3.50).

To back In Her Time next race and to access the best early The Everest 2018 odds visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.