SHE hasn't enjoyed a win in 11 months, but tonight could be the night for The Queens Portrait.

The five-year-old mare will line up for owner-trainer-driver Jamie Hogan in the Fritsch Bros Encouragement Stakes (1755m) at Temora.

In the club's first meeting of the season, The Queens Portrait will be up against seven other pacers who's trainers didn't train more than one winner last season and are yet to add to their tally this season.

Placed in her last two starts, and finishing no worse than fourth in all but one of her last five starts, the writing is on the wall the breakthrough win is coming soon.

Meeting a field with only two other horses than have placed in its last three starts, Hogan is quietly confident he'll great the judge first.

"It's her race if everything goes her way," he said.

"She's never been to Temora, but we will see what happens."

Hogan admitted barrier seven could be the sticking point, but has options with the inside of the second line draw.

After racing against the likes of Frith in Breeders Challenge races as a two and three-year-old, Hogan thought the daughter of Modern Art best season would have been last year.

"She just didn't fire as a four-year-old," he said.

"I thought as a four-year-old it would be her year, but something wasn't right with her and the only thing I could put it down to was went we put her out for a spell, we brought her back in she had an abscess that blew out in her foot."

After finishing third, 1.7 metres behind Areyoutalkingtome at Wagga on September 12, she overcame a tough trip on Friday night to finish second, 3.3 metres off Willostwomates.

Beaten by part-owner Trevor Sutherland on that occasion, she's finally performing like Hogan knew she could.

"This is how I thought she would go as a four-year-old as she's a lovely big mare," he said.

"She was never sore or lame, something was just stopping her from finding the line like she is now.

"She's certainly has come back good and hopefully she can go one better (tonight)."

Good Girl Shirl looms as her obvious danger, drawing barrier two and finishing second in two of her last three starts.

A win for the Matt Painting-trained mare would see Ellen Bartley drive her first win.

The Queens Portrait is the only horse Hogan has in work, but once he returns from a cruise next month will put eight two-year-olds back into work.

He will also bring Pompidou back after finishing second for KerryAnn Turner in the consolation of the two-year-old colts and geldings Breeders Crown.