Rasmussen backing her drive

NOBODY could be in a better position to rate Self Assured’s main dangers in tonight’s $400,000 Auckland Cup than Natalie Rasmussen.

Which has a touch of irony, because when the outstanding reinswoman jumps in the sulky behind the hot favourite tonight, it will be the first time she has done so for a race.

Rasmussen, who used to cotrain Self Assured, has never actually driven him in a race, yet has won Group 1 races in the last year on three of his rivals, including second favourite Spankem.

She drove him to win the Taylor Mile just two starts ago, was the regular driver of Bettor Twist during her champion 3yrold season last term and even partnered South Coast Arden to win the NZ FreeForAll at Addington in November when trainer Brent Mangos was trapped north of the Auckland Covid border.

Yet for all that, she has next to zero association with Self Assured, even in training at home.

“I have driven him in a trial and a workout, but I very rarely drive him at home,” Rasmussen said.

“He has always been Mark’s horse, so he does almost all the fast work with him and then on easier days one of the staff, often his regular handler Jimmy, drives him, so I don’t have a lot to do with him.”

Rasmussen knows enough about Self Assured from being around him every day and driving against him to rate his chances against some of his key rivals, and she says he should win tonight.

“Nothing against any of the other horses because you have to be a good horse to end up in race like this, but he looks the best horse here.’’

Of the rivals Rasmussen has driven, she said Spankem was the biggest danger, but he had knocked off at the end of 3200m races before.

“I just don’t think he is quite as good over this trip, but I can also see him being in the money for sure.

“Bettor Twist is a wonderful mare but has found it hard in this grade against the boys and is off to stud soon, while South Coast Arden is a really good horse but he has had a tricky campaign.’’

Spankem is the clear second pick, while A G’s White Socks and open class newcomer Cranbourne have been outstanding this autumn and can place.