Blacks A Fake

[Jimmy]

What would a harness forum be with out a Blacks A Fake thread! His run on Saturday night was super can he make it 5 Interdons this season?

[Pinot]

Can't win five as i think i have heard he is not coming to ChCh,although i stand to be corrected on that.

[Jimmy]

Gee that's a shame! I wonder why ? The Miracle Mile must be his main target then !

[Allan]

I would have loved to see Blackie in North America. He is truly the king of Australasia.

[Shannon]

Would have more respect had he came to NZ, don't get me wrong as he is the king but would of been good to see him over here in the flesh.

[Shakamaker]

Blacks A Fake will be in Christchurch for the Inters. Natalie Rasmussen has stated publicly that the 2011 Inter Dominion is her major goal with Blacks A Fake this season. He will not go to the Miracle Mile, he will not go to the Hunter Cup, he will not go to the NZ Cup but he will go to the Christchurch Inter Dominion providing he is fit, healthy and racing in good heart. It should be great to see the great Champ in NZ.

[Jimmy]

Well that is great new Shakamaker, i can't wait for this Inter Dominion to roll around!

[nat]

Better put the cue's back in the rack boy and girls he was devastating last night I've never seen a horse break his opponents like he dose in the last 3 quarter of a race, 54.7 last half in the death then pulled away. I think Nat was making a statement last night to all and sundrie when connections of Washakie said they wouldn’t hand up he might be old but he's still the best, and if he’s just warming up well what can you say

[Jimmy]

He sure was nat, awesome, just awesome !!!! I think he might of got better, he played with then last night amazing for a 10 year old, he is a freak !!!

[AW1]

Freakish ... greatest EVER !!

Hands down

[Don Corleone]

I have seen many a Champ come and go and have loved them all BUT Blackie is THE CHAMP. Nat just bring him to NZ !

[Allan]

In case anyone hasn't seen the race people are talking about, here it is. Pretty impressive.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31mYxBXtPEc

[Don Corleone]

Thanks Alan. The caller got it right - Dominent!! Very Impressive.

[Big K]

Freakish ... greatest EVER !!

Hands down

Totally Agree.

[Southern Man]

Find it a bit odd when people claim that Blackie is the best to have ever raced in Australasia. In Australia -arguable with a great case. But Australasia means NZ as well and since he has never raced here the claim is non senseical. For four years now Blackie has been coming to NZ but has failed to appear every time. Even million dollar purses on a big track over a distance right up his alley wasnt enough to tempt his connections. So excuse us Kiwis for being a bit cynical when yet again we hear that Blackie will be at the interdoms next year. All his absense from racing on this side of the Tasman has done is to fuel suggestions that the horses connections have something to hide. Will he come. History would say no

[Don Corleone]

Not sure what you find odd Southern Man because where a horse races doesn't mean much it's who the horse races. And for years we have been sending our (NZ) best over there and Blackie has beaten them more times than we have beaten him. As far a the connections having something to hide....well.

[Southern Man]

The point I was making was quite simple. You cannot be the best horse to have raced in Australasia when you have only raced in Australia. To say it makes no difference is just plain stupid. Home track advantage is just that, an advantage. Different rules.stewards , tracks and driving styles all add to the difficulty that horses face when they race in a foreign country. So as I said Blackie is arguably the best horse to have raced in Australia but until he has proven himself in NZ leave NZ out of the equation.As for why connections would rather race in Australia for under half the money you draw your own conclusions. Over the years I have hosted several Australian trainers in NZ and without fail they lose most of their drenches, ointments, pastes ect at customs. They spend most of their time trying to replace what they have lost at customs with mixed success. Just another hurdle horses moving between countries face. Will Blackie come to the Interdoms in Christchurch. I doubt it

[Shakamaker]

The only reason that Blacks A Fake is still racing is so that he can contest the next Inter Dominion. If they had no intention of contesting the Inter Dominion, he wouldn't be racing.
Connections have nothing to hide. They have raced in QLD (obviously), NSW, VIC, SA and TAS. The only thing that will prevent him from travelling NZ for the 2011 Inters is injury or his form not warranting the trip. If his form is still good , he will be in NZ.

[Southern Man]

We have heard it for five years but the book of a thousand excuses has always been opened and used. The bottom line is it is not in Australia and they will have to go through customs and be subject to a lot more scrutiny than they will ever face in Australia. Couple that with the rumoured 72 hour guard for all finalists and he aint coming.

[Shakamaker]

We have heard it for five years but the book of a thousand excuses has always been opened and used. The bottom line is it is not in Australia and they will have to go through customs and be subject to a lot more scrutiny than they will ever face in Australia. Couple that with the rumoured 72 hour guard for all finalists and he aint coming.

Last year (2009) was the first real opportunity that connections of Blacks A Fake had to take their great horse to NZ for the NZ Cup.

In 2006 the horse got sick in late October which prevented any possibility of taking him to NZ.

In 2007 he was struck down with Equine Influenza in October/November and couldn't leave his property in Qld let alone get to NZ to race.

In 2008, Australian horses still couln't get across to NZ without undergoing an extensive quarantine process that would mean that they couldn't race for an 8 to 10 week period. As expected no Australian horses raced at the NZ Cup Carnival in 2008 due to this.

So 2009 was the first real opportunity that connections had to get to NZ. They turned down this opportunity because they wanted to look after their now 9yo Blacks A Fake and focus on winning the Miracle Mile and the Inter Dominion.

As a 10yo in 2010, connections have never said they were contemplating going to NZ for the NZ Cup. They have said though all along that their focus is the 2011 Inter Dominions.

Customs wont bother them at all. Blacks A Fake had to spend 2 weeks in quarantine in Qld and Victoria just to race at the 2008 Inter Dominions after contracting EI. They have also seen how well Smoken Up, Karloo Mick and Flashing Red have raced in NZ in recent years after each of these horses has gone through Customs.

Barring injury or a loss of form, Blacks A Fake will be in NZ for the 2011 Inter Dominions.

[Southern Man]

As I said the book of 1000 excuses has been opened and used many times. Sick in late October 2006 and couldnt come but well enough to race and win on the 8th November 2006 . Only time will tell if he shows but the book has plenty of pages left to use yet

[Shakamaker]

As I said the book of 1000 excuses has been opened and used many times. Sick in late October 2006 and couldnt come but well enough to race and win on the 8th November 2006 . Only time will tell if he shows but the book has plenty of pages left to use yet

He didn't race on 8 November 2006 - It was a trial at Redcliffe of all places.

It was common knowlegde that the horse was going into the Miracle Mile in late November 2006 underdone because he had got crook in mid to late October.

In any case, connections back in 2006 had never given any indication that they were looking to go to NZ for the 2006 NZ Trotting Cup. The NZ Cup was only worth $500K at that time and Blacks A Fake at that time was a big risk from the Stand. He wasn't even selected in the 2006 Hunter Cup Field following some poor getaways from the Standing Start. Accordingly a NZ Cup Start in 2006 was never even mentioned with connections intending to pursue a Miracle Mile and Victoria Cup Campaign.

As such, 2009 was really the first year that connections were able to seriously contemplate a NZ Cup Campaign with Blacks A Fake.

[Southern Man]

Maybe he should race underdone abit more often as 2006 was by far his best run in a Miracle Mile. He did hold a nomination for the NZ Cup in 2008 but went to the Mircle Mile instead. The NZ cup was worth $1.2 mlilon on a track and at a distance that would suit Blackie to a tee but instead he went to a race worth $750,000 less on a track and distance that didnt suit him. Yes that would have resulted in a six week quarantine stint but he had 750,000 reasons to come. No show 2009 and this year he is not coming because they are looking after him with a view to the Inerdominions next year. Instead of coming to Addington to race for $750,00 he has stayed at home to race for $200,000 against a large group of the best grand circuit horses going round. If you are trying to look after Blackie then Addington would seem a lot easier on the horse than racing Mr Feelgood in his present form. So forgive me if I seem a bit dubious about Blackie coming but we have seen and heard it all before

[Thomas Johnson]

I have just read the story on harnesslink about Mr Feelgood winning there. He was always a good horse here in the US but not a great horse. Just below the best ones here but one thing I can tell you is that his two year olds here look very weak at this late stage in the US. He has 23 two year olds from the number one breeding farm "Britany" in Kentucky with his best one been Im Feelin Good that won $28,000 with a record of 1:55 at the Red Mile. That does not sound too good for his breeding career at this stage.

[MasterK]

Mr Feelgood suits the racing in Australia and has a very good trainer. HEs only run every 2 weeks coz thats how he likes it. Racing in Australia is just so much different to the US and he just seems to suit it here

[nat]

At first I was disappointed with Blacky but after reviewing the race a couple of time the work he did and the time recorded for the run it was a phenomenal run not taking anything away from Mr Feelgood he was AAAAAAAAWSOME I've been on his bandwagon from the start having good collects in the Shepparton & Hunter cup as well as the Inter. I don’t know if Mr Feelgood could do what Blacky did if the roles were reversed and be close at the end but who knows now he’s a complete different horse. I think Nat went alittle early testing Mr Feelgood after being wide for a while and it cost him in the end.

[Southern Man]

Mr Feelgood is a completely different horse at the moment. In all his racing in North America and for the Butt brothers in Australasia he was a sit sprint racehorse. A horse that if you used up in the run was prone to getting run over. Now he is the new iron horse of Australasia. What a transformation

[Sinbad Bay]

At first I was disappointed with Blacky but after reviewing the race a couple of time the work he did and the time recorded for the run it was a phenomenal run not taking anything away from Mr Feelgood he was AAAAAAAAWSOME I've been on his bandwagon from the start having good collects in the Shepparton & Hunter cup as well as the Inter. I don’t know if Mr Feelgood could do what Blacky did if the roles were reversed and be close at the end but who knows now he’s a complete different horse. I think Nat went alittle early testing Mr Feelgood after being wide for a while and it cost him in the end.

Spot on Nat, last mile in 1.53.9, half 55.1 in a 2600m race and Blackie had to work just to get to the death. Its simply a mathematical impossibility to sit parked and win in those times especially when you have had to work just to get there. Super run

[MasterK]

And once again he wins

[aussiebreno]

Maybe he should race underdone abit more often as 2006 was by far his best run in a Miracle Mile. He did hold a nomination for the NZ Cup in 2008 but went to the Mircle Mile instead. The NZ cup was worth $1.2 mlilon on a track and at a distance that would suit Blackie to a tee but instead he went to a race worth $750,000 less on a track and distance that didnt suit him. Yes that would have resulted in a six week quarantine stint but he had 750,000 reasons to come. No show 2009 and this year he is not coming because they are looking after him with a view to the Inerdominions next year. Instead of coming to Addington to race for $750,00 he has stayed at home to race for $200,000 against a large group of the best grand circuit horses going round. If you are trying to look after Blackie then Addington would seem a lot easier on the horse than racing Mr Feelgood in his present form. So forgive me if I seem a bit dubious about Blackie coming but we have seen and heard it all before
If you believe he had 750'000 reasons to go then that means you must think he would have won. ;)

[Phoenix]

The point I was making was quite simple. You cannot be the best horse to have raced in Australasia when you have only raced in Australia. To say it makes no difference is just plain stupid. Home track advantage is just that, an advantage. Different rules.stewards , tracks and driving styles all add to the difficulty that horses face when they race in a foreign country. So as I said Blackie is arguably the best horse to have raced in Australia but until he has proven himself in NZ leave NZ out of the equation.As for why connections would rather race in Australia for under half the money you draw your own conclusions. Over the years I have hosted several Australian trainers in NZ and without fail they lose most of their drenches, ointments, pastes ect at customs. They spend most of their time trying to replace what they have lost at customs with mixed success. Just another hurdle horses moving between countries face. Will Blackie come to the Interdoms in Christchurch. I doubt it

In 1994/95 Golden Reign won many grand circuit events in Australia then won two heats and the final at Christchurch. Therefore, Golden Reign was a better all-round Australasian champion than BAF. Pity Golden Reign couldn't back up the next season... He was never the same after winning the Interdominion..

[Flashing Red]

The point I was making was quite simple. You cannot be the best horse to have raced in Australasia when you have only raced in Australia. To say it makes no difference is just plain stupid. Home track advantage is just that, an advantage. Different rules.stewards , tracks and driving styles all add to the difficulty that horses face when they race in a foreign country. So as I said Blackie is arguably the best horse to have raced in Australia but until he has proven himself in NZ leave NZ out of the equation.As for why connections would rather race in Australia for under half the money you draw your own conclusions. Over the years I have hosted several Australian trainers in NZ and without fail they lose most of their drenches, ointments, pastes ect at customs. They spend most of their time trying to replace what they have lost at customs with mixed success. Just another hurdle horses moving between countries face. Will Blackie come to the Interdoms in Christchurch. I doubt it

Somebeachsomewhere was the best horse in the WORLD as a 3yo - despite not racing on the American or Australiasian Grand Circuit. If you think he needed to do that to be regarded as the best in the world, not just America, well then...! In saying that, I have wished for a long time for Blacks A Fake to race in NZ. Like you rightly said, it is a different kettle of fish going overseas. But if you are implying it is because Natalie wouldn't be able to bring all her "products" over and that they would be confiscated by customs, you couldn't be further from the mark. That horse goes just as good under guard or out of detention. I'm sure other than his gear bag, he wouldn't travel with anything else (customs would therefore not be a problem!!) Why go overseas when you are dominating in your own backyard. Seriously.