Inter Dominion 2019: Natalie Rasmussen on verge of joining Brian Hancock at top of pile

He’s known as the Inter Dominion pacing king but Brian Hancock says he has absolutely no objections to the Natalie Rasmussen drawing level with him as the most successful driver in the history of the series.

Natalie Rasmussen has won four pacing finals — all on the great Blacks A Fake.

Former Queenslander Natalie Rasmussen is poised for a slice of Inter Dominion history.

If hot favourite Ultimate Sniper wins at Auckland’s Alexandra Park on Saturday night, Rasmussen will draw level with the Inter Dominion “King” Brian Hancock as the most successful driver in the history of the Inter Dominion pacing final.

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Hancock won five finals — Koala King (1980), Weona Warrior (1994) and Our Sir Vancelot (1997, ’98 and ’99) — while Rasmussen already boasts four, all on the great Blacks A Fake (2006, ’07, ’08 and 2010.

Ultimate Sniper is the $1.40 favourite with TAB to her a fifth win.

And Hancock will be cheering loudly for Rasmussen.

“You bet I’m in her corner,” Hancock said. “Records are made to be broken, or in this case, equalled.

“Nat’s a really good friend of mine. She and Vi (Hancock’s partner) are great mates, they talk all the time. I’d love to see her win another final this week.”

Hancock said he spoke with Rasmussen last week.

“I did have to remind her the other day, even if she does win this, I’m still ahead of her … I won my five finals on three different horses, Nat will only have done it on two,” he laughed.

Rasmussen certainly isn’t someone who celebrates milestones or records, but her friendship and admiration for Hancock is obvious.

Natalie Rasmussen has a longstanding friendship with legendary driver Brian Hancock.

“To equal one of Brian records would be pretty special,” she said. “I guess I’ve been lucky to drive some really nice horses.”

Hancock, long retired from driving, still educates horses for a few trainers, including his nephew Darren Hancock and has been watching the Auckland series with interest.

“They’ve really dominated it, haven’t they, Nat and Mark. But it’s been great to see Barry (Purdon’s) horses all going so well, too,” Hancock said.

“I’ve got so many great Inter Dominion memories and the Purdon family have been such a big part of them.”

Mark Purdon holds the combined record for Inter Dominion final driving wins, three pacing and three trotting.

Natalie Rasmussen with superstar pacer Blacks A Fake.

He’s odds-on to add to that with Winterfell ($1.70 with TAB) in Saturday’s trotting final and drives second favourite Cruz Bromac ($7.50) in the pacing final.

Purdon already stands alone with seven Inter Dominion titles (two pacing and five trotting) as a trainer.

With Winterfell in the trotting final and staggering five of the 12 runners, headed by Ultimate Sniper in the pacing final, he looks certain to add to that on Saturday.

Two of Purdon’s training wins came in partnership with Grant Payne with I Can Doosit in 2011 and ’12.

Now he’s got a chance to add to that in partnership with Rasmussen across both finals on Saturday.

Originally published as Inter Dominion 2019: Natalie Rasmussen on verge of joining Brian Hancock at top of pile