KEY POINTS:
Champion Australian pacer Blacks A Fake could be a surprise New Zealand Cup contender.
Trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen said she would "keep all options open" following the warhorse's awesome win in the Winter Cup in Brisbane on Saturday night.
"I'd say I'll nominate him [for the NZ Cup] for sure," she said. "It's early and I want to keep all options open at this stage.
"It is a race I would look at, but all the transport would have to work in well.
"I'm very keen to have a go at the Miracle Mile with him again. He ran a fantastic race last year after an interrupted preparation."
Rasmussen further fuelled the NZ Cup as an option when she said Blacks A Fake could stay in training "to get some standing-start practice".
She is contemplating running the superstar in the Redcliffe Cup, a standing-start handicap, on Friday week.
"He's come through the Winter Cup so well, you wouldn't know he's been in such a tough race," she said.
"If he's well this week, I might go to Redcliffe for the standing-start practice.
"As I said, it's all about keeping my options open."
Blacks A Fake was simply stunning in what many felt was a career-best win in the Winter Cup.
Even Rasmussen seemed lost for words.
"That's as good as he's ever gone and I still don't think we've seen the best of him," she said.
"When I had to drive him along on the home turn it was because he was loafing. He wasn't getting tired.
"He's an amazing horse and I'm running out of things to say about how good I think he is.
"This time last year I thought he was going to a new level, but he had a setback and although he had a great season, I don't think he reached his peak.
"Now he's been hassle-free this campaign I think you'll see some special things from him over the next 12 months."
If Blacks A Fake does make it to Addington for the New Zealand Cup, it sets up the possibility of one of the strongest races in a decade.
Already the Cup looks likely to host defending champion Flashing Red, previous winner Mainland Banner, veteran hero Sly Flyin, this season's superstar four-year-old Monkey King and champion youngster Changeover.
Blacks A Fake would face a 15m backmark alongside Flashing Red in the Cup and if he is nominated he will leave TAB bookmakers in a tough position.
They would have to open him short in any market otherwise they leave themselves open to be swamped by educated money if his connections decide to send him over.
But they will also have to accommodate perennial punters' favourites Monkey King and Changeover at the top of the market.
One Dream guaranteed her spot in the Australasian Breeder Crown with an effortless heat win at Kilmore last night.
The exceptional South Auckland filly led throughout to justify $1.20 favouritism, pacing her last 800m in 58.1 seconds.
The victory means she will head straight to a semifinal of the series at Ballarat on August 14.
One Dream won the two-year-old fillies Breeders Crown last season.
