By Chris Barsby
The booking of Natalie Rasmussen this weekend could have long term repercussions.
The champion horsewoman will head back to her home state of Queensland this Saturday to drive star mare Forever Gold in the Gr.2 $50,000 Moreton Bay Regional Council Redcliffe Gold Cup.
Rasmussen has driven the mare at her past two starts, the latest a brave second behind Philadelphia Man in the Gr.1 $125,000 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park on July 18.
And connections moved quickly to regain her services again.
“It’s great that we have Natalie coming back to drive the mare, they obviously clicked during the recent carnival at Albion Park and this is a race within her reach. It won’t be easy but we’re thrilled with the way she’s performing right now.” Trainer Darren Weeks said.
The bonny mare starts off a 10m handicap this weekend, a mark she shares with reigning Queensland Horse of the Year Avonnova plus defending Redcliffe Cup champion Majestic Major and Caesars Folly.
Forever Gold failed by a narrow margin last year after starting from a 20m handicap.
Since winter arrived, Forever Gold has been placed in all six starts including her efforts in the Gr.1 Sunshine Sprint and the Blacks A Fake while winning the Gr.3 Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes for a record fourth time defeating subsequent feature race winner Sweet Molly Oshea.
And Weeks is now looking at long term targets with his star pupil.
“I don’t intend on spelling her anytime soon, her form is super while the Queensland Pacing Championship (October 24) will roll around pretty quickly so we’ll look at a few open class events between now and then.
“The Redcliffe Cup was always part of her current campaign and obviously we’re keen to go one better on last year’s effort. We’ve moved properties since then and it probably took a little longer than expected to settle in, most of the team picked up a little virus as well but we’re all good now and the routine is now in place.
“Natalie stayed with us during her winter campaign and she was able to work closely with Tammy (Forever Gold) and that has had an immediate effect on the racetrack. If we get any luck this weekend, I think we will prove hard to hold out at the finish.”
With the Inter Dominion and the New Zealand Cup both scheduled for later this year, Weeks has already started looking at his options and the latter makes more appeal.
“A lot will depend on her health and form at the time but the New Zealand Cup makes more appeal for a number of reasons including the fact that Murray (Cole – owner/breeder) is from that way plus Natalie is now based over there with Mark (Purdon) so we have a great head start already,” Weeks explained.
“It’s not like we’re heading into the unknown; having that trust with Natalie is crucial and she understands the mare really well, both on and off the track. We could easily send her over there and be comfortable knowing that she’s getting the best possible care coupled with the fact she’ll handle the conditions of the race really well but nothing has been confirmed just yet.” He added.
Connections of Avonnova have also expressed strong interest in the 2015 New Zealand Cup.
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