For the fourth consecutive time in the series the determined 4yr-old conceded better runs to Australasia’s best pacers and beat them when claiming the $500,000 race in the hands of Natalie Rasmussen.
Rasmussen confirmed her reign as the queen of the Interdominion by equalling fellow Australian-born driver Brian Hancock’s record of five pacing grand finals in the sulky.
The ex-pat Queenslander has been involved with plenty of special Interdominion moments before with her four-time winner, Blacks A Fake, but Ultimate Sniper’s clean sweep was not lost on her.
‘‘I’ve been so lucky to drive so many great horses, but this is really quite special tonight," Rasmussen said.
"For a 4yr-old to go undefeated in a traditional series, all through the heats and the final — just a wonderful feat.’’
Ultimate Sniper became the first 4yr-old to win the championship since Shakamaker, who did not have to run three heats and a final when winning an altered series in 2000.
The Bettor’s Delight entire’s ground-breaking win did not come without a fight.
Rasmussen had to ask Ultimate Sniper to dig deep when working harder than any other horse in the race took its toll on him in the last 100m.
‘‘He was tired on the line; he just didn’t give up,’’ Rasmussen said.
"He made his own luck — I’m just absolutely rapt with the horse."
Rasmussen took no risks with the hot favourite, moving him from midfield to sit parked just 700m into the 2700m feature.
Runner-up Mach Shard and third placegetter Cruz Bromac tried to catch Ultimate Sniper when his big effort told, but they could not reel in the favourite.
Ultimate Sniper’s win gave Mosgiel owners part-owners Phil and Margaret Creighton the thrill of their harness racing lifetimes.
The Creightons race the 4yr-old with Phil and Glenys Kennard and Gavin Douglas, of Canterbury, and Kevin Riseley of Victoria.
Ultimate Sniper’s Interdominion campaign was so uncertain his owners had not confirmed the pacer would go to Auckland before Purdon and Rasmussen put him on a flight north.
"I was talking to his breeder and he said the horse was going to Auckland, so I rang Phil and said ‘what is going on?’
"He said he didn’t know either, but he went out to the stable and said ‘yes we are off to Auckland’.
"There was a bit of pressure on, because there was so much hype around him, and that told a bit," Creighton said.
"But Natalie just loves parking the horse and he just relaxes beautifully — horses just run for her."
The group of owners who race Ultimate Sniper were brought together by the Kennards more than 10 years ago.
The first two horses they purchased together died before getting to the races.
The group has gone on to enjoy prolific success in big races across Australasia.
Creighton said Ultimate Sniper’s Interdominion win was their 25th group 1 victory together.
