On the eve of possibly the biggest moment in an already brilliant career, Natalie Rasmussen was today inducted into the Inter Dominion Hall of Fame.
The outstanding trainer and driver received one of harness racing’s most coveted awards before 350 guests at the 2009 Watpac Inter Dominion Chairman’s Luncheon at Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast.
Rasmussen was inducted by fellow Hall of Famer, Brian Hancock, who paid tribute to her accomplishments. She is harness racing’s 7th Hall of Fame driver, first female, and also the youngest recipient of the award.
Rasmussen, 32, has amassed 514 winners and 923 placings from 3800 starts for combined prizemoney of $5.2 million in a remarkable career which has been closely linked with that of her favourite horse, Blacks A Fake. She has trained and driven Blacks A Fake to become the first Australasian standardbred pacer to win over $3 million in prizemoney.
Natalie and “Blackie” have won the past three Inter Dominion Championships – equalling Brian Hancock’s feat with his mighty champion Our Sir Vancelot in the late 1990’s.
They are aiming for a history breaking fourth straight win in tomorrow night’s 2009 Watpac Inter Dominion Grand Final at the Parklands track on the Gold Coast.
Natalie Rasmussen Driving Statistics up to 31 December 2008
3 x Inter Dominion Pacers Championships
4 x Inter Dominion Pacers Championship Heats
10 x Group 1 wins
9 x Group 2 wins
7 x Group 3 wins
3,763 Starts
514 Wins
923 Places
$5,215,778 Prizemoney
First Win as a Registered Driver - Alamo Boy - 7/12/1993 (Gold Coast)
First Win with Blacks A Fake - 6/3/2003 (Gold Coast)
For further information contact Andrew Kelly 0488 358 285
Andrew Kelly
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
