04 January 2018 | Chris Barsby
For Kylie Rasmussen, starting the New Year came with a victory.
And as a driver.
On Tuesday afternoon, Rasmussen guided the ultra-talented Major Cam to success in the Lunchbox Lodge Spelling Farm Open Pace at Albion Park and easily accounted for Another Broadway and Stormfortheboys in a time of 1:54.2.
“It was a very satisfying feeling, nice to back out there and driving a talented type.” Rasmussen said.
While the result won’t shock many, the fact that Rasmussen hasn’t driven under race conditions since April fool’s day, 2016 will.
On that occasion, Rasmussen came to grief when partnering Ella Michelle in the 4yo QBRED Mares Final at Albion Park which left her with injuries while aggravating older ones.
While winners have continued for the stable, the former Albion Park metropolitan premiership winning driver watched from the stands.
The eldest of the Rasmussen siblings, Kylie has driven in excess of 530 winners throughout her career including partnering Australia’s greatest pacer Blacks A Fake.
Star mare Forever Gold (42 wins – $700k) was another great performer for Rasmussen.
Over 300 winners have come from her training establishment.
And she’s hoping Major Cam can record another victory this Saturday night when he lines up in the Remembering “Peter Profit” Open Pace over the distance of 1660m.
The Art Major gelding has drawn gate six in the eight horse field.
“I was really pleased with his effort the other day and he will improve from that run given he had a few weeks between starts, he was strong at the line.
“In saying that, the draw looks a little tricky this weekend and in particular over the short trip. Should be a good race.”
Major Cam has won 18 of his 19 races at the Breakfast Creek oval.
Key rivals include former Queensland Derby winner Catcha Lefty and last week’s open class winner Glenferrie Hood while the brilliant beginner Ideal Scott will prove a real threat.
Peter Profit was a Queensland hero during the late 1960’s and 1970’s winning 43 races at Albion Park and was a dual winner of the Albion Park 10,000. Peter Profit won 45 races when trained by Frank Donohoe whose son Alan Donohoe drove the harness great to a few wins in his early career.
Peter Profit, by the great James Scott, retired at the age of 13 with a personal best time of 2:01:5 and prize money worth $61,643 regarded as a true legend of the sport.
Fittingly, he is a member of the Queensland Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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