By Michael Guerin
Natalie Rasmussen has been gifted a shot at the biggest win of her New Zealand career, securing the drive on Auckland Trotting Cup favourite Have Faith In Me.
Co-trainer Rasmussen is the logical replacement for regular pilot Tim Williams, who has been suspended until January 1 for his drive behind Have Faith In Me at Alexandra Park last Friday.
Williams was found guilty of not giving Have Faith In Me every chance when he finished sixth, denied room in the home straight, in the Summer Cyp won by arch rival Hughie Green.
While there was nothing sinister in Williams’ drive he was suspended for failing to move away from the inside when he had room in the middle stages so will miss the next two premier meetings at Alexandra Park.
The penalty looks harsh considering the connections of Have Faith In Me had indicated they would look to drive him for luck on the inner before the race, but they were taking it on the chin last night.
So Rasmussen is of course no stranger to the biggest races, having won four Inter Dominions with the mighty Blacks A Fake and she has established a remarkable feature-race strike rate in New Zealand since moving here.
But realistic New Zealand or Auckland Cup winning chances are rare, with Have Faith In Me the $3.70 equal favourite with stablemate Smolda for the December 31 classic.
The pair clash in the Franklin Cup this Friday, a final chance for Have Faith In Me to hone his wayward standing start manners before the Auckland Cup and co-trainer Mark Purdon says the Auckland Cup is still the main target, even with this manner’s concerns.
“Providing he steps away well enough he will be going to the Cup but I will be guided by what Natalie has to say after the race,” said Purdon.
One rival Have Faith In Me and Smolda won’t have to worry about on Friday is Hughie Green, who is being saved for the four and five-year-old race at Cambridge on Christmas Eve.
“If he can win there he gets automatic entry into the Chariots of Fire in Sydney,” says his trainer Brian Hughes.
“So missing this week and going to Cambridge was always the plan but after Cambridge we are still very much heading toward the Auckland Cup.”
Hughie Green is knocking on the door of favouritism for the Cup into $4.
His stablemate The Orange Agent’s grip on Friday’s group one Queen Of Hearts has been loosened by a second line draw, with the exceptional mare starting from the outside of the second line.
Her task is made even more difficult by group one-winning rivals Lancewood Lizzie (barrier one) and Fight For Glory (two) drawing to control the race with Venus Serena on their backs (one on the second line).
The Orange Agent isn’t the the only big name facing a tricky night on Friday, with New Zealand’s three best trotters all getting rough draws in the $40,000 Lyell Creek.
Monbet came up with barrier seven in the 2200m mobile while Master Lavros and Stent has to start off the second line in the first leg of a trotting Triple Crown in the north over 13 days.
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