Racing: Mare’s best foot forward

Lanson may have saved her best for last.

One of Alexandra Park's favourite old ladies is close to retirement but that didn't stop her winning the richest race of her career in the $30,000 Interdominion Trotting Consolation last night.

The 10-year-old made the consolation a victory for trotting's girl power, being driven by Nicole Thorn and co-trained by Tamaia Wallwork.

After the race the latter was happy but still wondering what might have been.

Her training partner Kevin Walker was expressing his satisfaction with last night's victory, pointing out it was worth more than if Lanson had run third in the $250,000 trotting grand final.

"But what if we had won the final?" said Wallwork, confirming she is a young woman who never loses faith in her horse.

Walker though was just happy that Lanson had a chance to prove her worth in front of the biggest crowd seen at Alexandra Park in a decade.

"It is a great night and sure we would have loved her to be in the final," said Walker.

"But I am rapt she won, especially on a night like this."

The win was the 12th of Lanson career, including an Interdominion heat in Melbourne last year, victories that will cement her value as a broodmare.

"That is where she is heading," admitted Walker. "She doesn't have too many races left in her and she really doesn't have too much to prove.

"We will give her a few more starts, maybe with the Rowe Cup to be her last race."