In coming to their decision on penalty, the Judicial Control Authority took into account the unusual circumstances of the case, with a driver betting against their own horse in the biggest race of the season usually certain to bring a suspension.
Instead Rasmussen was fined $3750 plus ordered to pay $350 costs.
Rasmussen admitted to the Herald yesterday she made a mistake and said it was embarrassing.
"It all started when the TAB contacted me in October because I hadn't been using by account and said it would be closed," says Rasmussen.
"So I decided to have a couple of bets to keep it open. I usually only bet with I am having a day at the the races with the girls and not involved.
"So I backed Smolda because I was injured at the time and thought there was no chance I'd be driving at the meeting. In fact, I was going to be back in Queensland recovering.
"But the arm healed quicker than I thought and I got a clearance to drive a few days before the Cup and decided to drive Messini.
"I didn't give the bet on Smolda a second thought and obviously it didn't effect the way I drove." The JCA heard from stipendiary steward Nigel McIntyre that after reviewing Rasmussen's drive on Messini he was satisfied its integrity could not be questioned.
Rasmussen said she was unaware she was supposed to inform the stewards about the bet so they could have it removed and approve her engagement for Messini.
"I really didn't think about it but I was explained the rules about what I should have done a couple of days after Cup day and the rules are the rules. I was in the wrong but there was no malice in it from my side.
"Its embarrassing but I have to cop the fine and move on."
Rasmussen said she bets so rarely, a fact backed up by a Racing Integrity Unit audit of her account, that she was unaware New Zealand drivers are not allowed to bet on their own horses, hence her bet on Chase The Dream.
The decision not to suspend Rasmussen will rankle some in the industry, not so much for the Chase The Dream bet because she was driving him, but the Messini bet, especially considering it was the New Zealand Cup.
But the reality is her $200 bet for a $600 profit was hardly likely to be playing on her mind before or during the Cup when had Messini won she would have pocketed $41,250 in driving and her half of the training percentages.
The JCA summation relating to the New Zealand Cup stated:
"There is no suggestion that the respondent (Rasmussen) has in any way driven improperly in the race.
"In addition, her actions are in essence an oversight on her part. The unchallenged evidence is to the effect that Ms Rasmussen is an irregular bettor and had overlooked the fact the she had placed a futures bet on Smolda when she accepted a drive on Messini."
There is a precedent for the decision, with two other Canterbury drivers being given fines only in the last 18 months for betting on the Drivers Challenge.
