Natalie Rasmussen,driver of the moment, is hoping for a full house in Group events at Addington tomorrow but will be happy to be humming “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” on the way home.
As long as it’s the right two that is. For of her three cracking Purdon Racing drives the one that worries her a little is a likely favourite in PARAMOUNT EMPRESS in the Heather Williams Memorial Memorial Trot.
“Not on the ability level. She has plenty of that. But her lack of experience could play against her tomorrow night. It is her only weak link”
That’s hardly a surprise. In the binocular sized modern rating world, talented beginners soon have to rough it with experienced veterans. Some of her opponents tomorrow are more than twice her age.
“The good ones get through more quickly now and it can catch up with them.You can’t always plan for that”
Paramount Empress is having just her 10th start tomorrow and will be a warm favourite.Most of her closest rivals have had many times that number.
“She was a little inexperienced last week and while the mobile seems an advantage this time I am not too certain about that”
“Those other older mares will be right in line with her on the gate and some had to give her a start last week. We can win it but I have a reservation over her ringcraft”
It’s more straightforward for her other two stable drives.
“DON’T STOP DREAMING (Sires Stakes Final) is a neat horse and I have great confidence in his ability. He gives you so many options. He can go out hard or relax in the field,sit parked or trail,sprint and stay.Really he doesn’t have any negatives. He was going so easily last week I didn’t have to pull the plugs.I’ve worked him this week and he is fine”
“BRONSON (Welcome Stakes) is an up and comer and the stable have always liked him. He isn’t the finished product and has a bit to learn but he seems one of those horses who turns up on raceday and wants to win. I liked his work on Wednesday.If he gets to the front at any time in the race I know he will be hard to get past”
The stable also has Major Hot in the race which Nathan rates as an up and comer, while Sinbad,a tad erratic, could go an improved race in the Sires Stakes Final. The All Stars record of 8 successive wins in a Group 1 race must be a record unequalled in racing.
Natalie has one outside drive in Got You Covered in the Country Cup Final
“It was just an ask if I would drive it. I don’t know much about it”
Got You Covered is at least a place chance in quite an open race. And the driver? Well she has paid a dividend in 20 of 27 drives this season and is a smidgin short of a 50 per cent win strike rate. What’s not to like ?