Tonights harness racing meeting at Addington promised so much with great fields over several Group races but then the rain came and that changed everything.
By the time the New Zealand Oaks came around the track was slushy and the wind was blowing making conditions very difficult.
The Orange Agent was a hot favourite on the back of her dominating win in the Nevele R Fillies Final last Saturday but her draw of nine in the slushy conditions meant she was never going to have it easy.
Her nemesis Fight For Glory had also drawn poorly at one second line behind Democrat Party so both of the favourites had issues heading to the start.
As expected Classical Art led early and kept the tempo up over the early stages.
The Orange Agent dropped back from her wide barrier while Fight For Glory had angled away from the inside after 200 metres into the running line.
After 400 metres Natalie Rasmussen pushed the go button on Fight For Glory and looped the field to grab the lead with 1650 metres to run.
Natalie then decided to make it the survival of the fittest and applied the blow torch a long way from home.
Off the back straight with 500 metres Natalie really turned up the wick and went for home and snuck a break of three lengths on the field as they rounded the final bend.
The chasers came from everywhere but none could run the daughter of Art Major down.
At the line she still had a length to spare over Democrat Party with the very unlucky Linda Lovegrace a mere half head away in third.
The Orange Agent battled on valiantly to be close up in fourth after a checkered run over the last lap.
In the wet and windy conditions, Fight For Glory ran the 2600 metres in a smart 3:16.1 with closing sectionals of 58.4 and 28
Nataliue Rasmussen was glowing in her praise of Fight For Glory.
" She has gone super tonight and she deserved to win after a run like that."
" The plan was always to go forward if I could from the draw because I knew she would fight the challengers with everything she's got.
" She is such a genuine filly that I knew if we could get in front of The Orange Agent she would be hard to peg back."
" She was getting a bit tired the last bit but after all the work she did that is to be expected, Natalie said.
What Natalie didn't mention was the brilliant drive that put Fight For Glory in that position.
It really was a peach of a drive and only added to her reputation as the best big race driver going round in New Zealand at the moment.
Harnesslink Media
