SHE'S had a much-need pedicure and now she's hoping to step out at Bathurst on Wednesday night.
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When Last Golden Hope, a four-year-old mare trained at The Lagoon by Wendy Turnbull, lines up in a heat of the Harness Racing NSW Rewards Series (1,730 metres) at the Bathurst Paceway, it will mark the longest campaign of her career thus far.
Though it will only be her fifth start this season, Last Golden Hope has been lightly raced since her debut due to an issue with seedy toe - a fungal hoof infection.
But that issue has finally been fixed and driver Emma Turnbull has guided her to a pair of seconds and a third in her three most recent starts.
"She's only had a few starts back, she had long break because she hurt her foot. They took her down to Sydney and cut all her foot away, so it's been a long process to get her back," Emma Turnbull said.
Rather than being some sort of bold prediction about her career, Last Golden Hope's name is a nod to the career of owner-breeders Wayne and Anne Lamb.
The Passmaster Hanover x Aquabelle mare was one of the last bred at Golden Gait Stud by the Lambs before they sold it.
She is yet to notch up a win from her eight career starts, but in her previous shot at a Rewards Series, Last Golden Hope placed second in her heat and third in the decider.
Her heat on Wednesday night appears to be open, with Last Golden Hope likely to vie for favouritism with Tony Hagney's Carinya Gold and Nathan Turnbull's Redbank Tommy.
"There's a couple in it that go alright, but with the right kind of draw [barrier five] she can pick up some good money again," Turnbull said.
"She's definitely no super star, but she's a nice little honest thing and does her best.
"She can sort of do anything ... she's an absolute angel to deal with, there's no vices about her at all."
The first race is at 2.59pm, with Dubbo product Tom Pay to have three drives across the nine-race meeting.
