Natalie Rasmussen has no idea what might happen at the start of tonight’s Easter Cup at Addington, but she does know that one of two scenarios will play out – one good and one not so good.
Rasmussen has the drive on hot-pot Heaven Rocks and what the monster pacer does from behind the barrier strand will determine what happens for the remainder of the 3200 metre Group One.
The 13-time New Zealand Group One winning driver was rather frank in her assessment of her chances. “He’ll either step away and probably win, or blow it and take no part,” she said.
“And I don’t really know which one it will be. It very much depends on what kind of mood he is when he gets around to the start and that.”
But if Heaven Rocks mood is anything to draw confidence from then punters who have him at $2.50 to win tonight might be a little worried when they hear what the Rock N Roll Heaven gelding has been like around home this week.
“He’s been in a horrible mood most of the week in the weather,” Rasmussen said.
“I’ve been working him on the round track and he’s been a bit of a brute and Mark (Purdon) worked him on the straight track today (Friday) and said he was good but still in a foul mood.”
Second last start behind his superstar stablemate, Lazarus, Heaven Rocks will start from the outside of the front line and be given plenty of room by Rasmussen who intends to have a starters assistant at the horse’s side throughout the starting process.
While the clear air in front of him when the tape pings could be a concern, there’s more worry about what will be coming from behind him.
“It’s a really quick 10 metre line and those horses rushing forward on him could be a problem.”
The Purdon and Rasmussen stable have three runners in the event with Chase The Dream and Piccadilly Princess also lining up in the $100,000 race.
Piccadilly Princess will be looking to become the third mare since the start of the millennium to win the race and follow in the footsteps of Adore Me and Alta Serena.
Nigel McGrath also has a strong hand in the race with his two runners, Classie Brigade and Maverick.
The former was very good sitting parked outside Lazarus and if Heaven Rocks was to leave his manners at home he would become the most likely victor of the race.
Robert Dunn also has two runners engaged with Southern import Captain Dolmio a real sleeper off his front mark and Franco Nelson who returns after setting a New Zealand record when he was produced two weeks ago.
Maxim will be out to become the first North Island horse since Alta Serena in 2005 to win the Easter Cup and incidentally will have trainer/driver Brent Mangos in the bike who drove Alta Serena.
Dexter Dunn will be aiming for his third straight win in the race when he combines with Titan Banner for Graeme Anderson having won with Locharburn and Christen Me in the past two years.
Matt Markham