Backed into $1.40, Self Assured duly delivered in tonight’s Group One Trillian Trust Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park.
It was the second Auckland Cup for Self Assured after winning in 2019. It was driver Natalie Rasmusssen’s second win too, after Vincent’s triumph in 2017.
With regular driver and co-trainer Mark Purdon suspended this was Rasmussen’s first drive behind the superstar pacer and the win didn’t come without some anxious moments.
Rasmussen made a mid race move to take the lead only for South Coast Arden to loop the field and go to the front just over a lap out.
Rasmussen then had to sweat on the passing lane but once it came there was no doubting the result as Self Assured blasted clear.
Spankem finished second, with Kango third.
The winning time for the 3200 metres was 3:58.96.
Self Assured continues a recent dominance of the Auckland Cup by All Stars runners following on from the likes of Amazing Dream last year and Self Assured, Turn It Up, Vincent and Dream About Me before that.