It is hoped Flashing Diamonds can go from the wilderness to the winner’s circle at Ashburton today.

The Flashing Red mare will start for just the second time in nearly two years in the final event on the 12-race programme.

The Robbie Holmes-trained mare returned from the harness racing wilderness with an encouraging run for fifth at this month’s Timaru Cup meeting.

The race was the eight-year-old’s first since being rehabilitated from a tendon injury, sustained in late 2016, by part-owner, Jason Gill.

“Jason has worked on her,” Holmes said.

“He didn’t rush her. I think he gave her eight months out and brought her up and then he put her out and started again a second time.”

Flashing Diamonds hit the line strongly for fifth with Sam Payne in the sulky in her first run back from her exodus from racing.

The effort was a pleasant surprise for her connections.

“She surprised us as she’d three runs at the workouts and she just went fairly each time,” Holmes said.

“So, I said to Jason, let’s throw her in the deep end and see what she has got.”

Flashing Diamonds’ returning run suggested a win would not be far away.

How soon that comes could depend on how she relaxes in her races.

“It would be nice if she would settle a bit, but this is what happened last time.

“She got keen and then settled as time went on.”

Flashing Diamonds has returned to the track from the same kind of harness racing wilderness her sire’s stud career led him to.

The stallion made New Zealand Cup Week his own in 2006 and 2007.

But he has not been able to make a similar mark in the breeding barn.

Flashing Diamonds is one of just five New Zealand winners from his 100-plus live foals.

The mare clashes with handy three-year-olds Mamma Knows Best and Nancy’s Boy in today’s 2400m mobile.

Mamma Knows Best looks well placed from barrier one following her respectable run for fifth behind Ruby Rose in the opening heat of the three-year-old Sires Stakes series.