Natalie Rasmussen has come out on top in a host of big match driving battles over the years and has confidence DON’T STOP DREAMING can add to the tally in the $1m Race by Grins tomorrow.
“I am fairly confident in terms of the horse,the gate and how everything is going into the race. I am not overconfident because its a horse race but we have quite a bit going for us that’s for sure”
“He went a great race last week,I worked him Wednesday and he was brilliant and we run from a gate where we have got options.Winning big races is ever easy but confidence in the horse is a big help going into them”
Natalie doesn’t feel her break away from big race driving has affected her approach.
“When you are driving good horses you slip back into it ok.” says the famous horsewoman who still maintains half seriously “I’ve never liked driving!”
Natalie says it is logical that the other four year olds Sooner the Bettor and Merlin will be hardest to beat.
“We don’t know a lot about the Aussie horses though they are good but the form of the three local four year olds seems to be the standout.”
The advantage of the gate and “Darci’s” form is certainly a confidence builder
“I won’t be planning around other horses and what they may do. I am concentrating on my horse and planning our race rather than getting hung up on what others might do. There is bound to be a rush from wider out but we have the speed to hold the front,or we can ease into a handy spot behind them.Those sort of options help the confidence”
And Natalie hasn’t forgotten stablemate SELF ASSURED even if his star has faded a little with Don’t Stop Dreaming’s rise.
“He’s such a grand old horse and he has shown lately he still has that speed if he gets the right run. He is drawn behind us so he may get a soft run into it early. If that is the case and a few things go wrong for the others I wouldn’t writie him off. I would never write him off”
Pic: Don’t Stop Dreaming and Natalie. Heading for the million on Friday