Harness Racing two year olds have one of their biggest races of the year on Sunday at Menangle when the $322,000 final of the Australian Pacing Gold for two year old colts and geldings is run.
The dominating pre post favourite is the son of Somebeachsomewhere in Our Waikiki Beach from the All Star barn of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
Mark has driven the unbeaten colt in his last three wins but in a shock move is handing over the reins to Natalie Rasmussen on Sunday.
"We had a long chat about it with Mark wanting me to drive them where as I thought he should keep driving them."
"In the end with me driving them, it lets Mark concentrate on having them spot on for the day without having to think about driving tactics so that is what we are going to do, " Natalie told Harnesslink this evening.
Our Waikiki Beach has drawn the coveted ace draw at the mile start and appears very hard to hold out going by his two runs to date at Menangle.
Another runner that has had a change of driver on Sunday is the stablemate of Our Waikiki Beach in Smolda who is lining up in the Len Smith Mile against Beautide.
Natalie will also take the reins on the son of Courage Under Fire who has fought his way back from serious injury to race once more at the highest level.
Smolda may lack the high speed of one or two in the Len Smith Mile but he is super tough and right in the zone at the moment.
Natalie warmed up for Menangle on Sunday with just two drives tonight at Addington which both came up trumps.
It took her winning drives for the season to 43 from just 111 drives and she has placed on 35 occasions as well.
The All Star barn have cut a swathe through Australasian harness racing scene over the last few years and it is their ability to change things around like the drivers on Sunday which gives them that edge that keeps them on top.
Harnesslink Media