All Stars win ultimate Interdominion double
Natalie Rasmussen cemented her place in harness racing history with a record-equalling Interdominion triumph at Alexandra Park last night.
The expat Queenslander equalled the record for most driving wins when reining hot favourite Ultimate Sniper to a typically courageous win in the $500,000 showpiece pacing final.
It’s unlikely any horse will ever supersede her former champion pacer and four-time Interdominion winner, Blacks A Fake, but Ultimate Sniper, who she co-trains in Christchurch with Mark Purdon, will hold a special place in her heart.
“I’ve been lucky enough to drive so many great horses but this is really quite special tonight because I matched Brian [Hancock’s] record.
“And for a four-year-old to do it the way he’s done it – he never had an easy run or anything but he made his own luck – I’m just absolutely rapt for the horse.’’
His final run was comparatively easy – sitting parked outside the leader AG’s White Socks for the last mile – and he had too much in reserve down the straight.
Meanwhile, Purdon admitted Winterfell gave him one of his most nerve-wracking big race drives when earlier winning the Trotting Final.
The five-year-old raced like he was desperate to add to Purdon’s already illustrious record in Australasia’s greatest test of trotting stamina when going roughly around the bends and threatening to gallop before producing seamless strides to win.
Winterfell was so dicey in his trotting action Purdon had to let third placegetter Massive Metro head his horse before the home turn when he still had more to offer.
Purdon admitted if he did not put his magic hands that have helped him drive six prior Interdominion winners to work, then Winterfell would have galloped.
‘‘He just didn’t handle the corners – particularly the last corner – I just had to nurse him to keep him trotting.’’
‘‘He was probably a neck behind Massive Metro on the home bend.
‘‘I am sure if I had tried to go with Massive Metro he would have galloped.’’
Once balanced in the straight, Winterfell fought bravely for Purdon, holding off a late dive from a wayward Majestic Man by half a neck on the line.
The victory notched Purdon’s eighth as a trainer and the fifth for Rasmussen, which confirmed their status as Interdominion king and queen.