Trainer Stuart Kendrick has removed blinkers from Lightfeet Lady to help her cope with a stamina test at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
In what could be her career swan song, Lightfeet Lady will attempt 1300m for only the second time in the Kirks Handicap.
“She ran second in the Rocky Newmarket which is a tough 1300 (metres) so as long as she relaxes she should go close,” Kendrick said.
“I’ve taken the blinkers off because I just thought she went a bit hard in them the other day so hopefully she settles better without them and has a bit more of a kick in the straight.”
Kendrick said Lightfeet Lady’s owner Dalan Tamblyn, who bred the mare, has booked Lightfeet Lady to visit Manhattan Rain after Saturday’s race.
“If she comes out and wins the owner might change his mind but at this stage it’ll probably be her last run,” he said.
Lightfeet Lady shapes as the likely leader on Saturday which Kendrick believes is her best chance of winning.
The mare has won nine races for Kendrick, starting her career on the mid-North Queensland circuit where her trainer won several premierships.
“I’ve had her since she was a baby and she’s nearly always been in the money,” he said.
“She was a good horse for us up north and since we came down here she’s very rarely missed picking up a cheque.”
As well as Lightfeet Lady, Kendrick will saddle up Impala in the Coke Zero Handicap (1000m) and Elusive King in the Nestea Iced Tea Handicap (1500m).
Kendrick said Impala races best when he’s kept fresh.
“We’ve got him big and burly but that seems to be the way he likes to race,” he said.
“He’s struck a pretty solid field but he’s won three from four first-up and he’s worked well leading into it.”
