Racing: Lock up the kids, here comes a 'cool cat' star

Trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen and Blackie. Photo / Greg Bowker

The greatest horse in Interdominion history does have a weakness - but it is unlikely to bother you unless you are too young to be betting on him anyway.

Blacks A Fake is the richest pacer in the world and has won four Interdominion championships in the past five years, finishing a luckless second in the other.

But he will make his New Zealand debut at the Interdominions which start at Alexandra Park tonight.

The series has been moved from Christchurch at short notice because of the earthquake, and because of the change Blacks A Fake will be racing right-handed for the first time.

Trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen says that won't bother the 10-year-old - but she admits there is one thing that terrifies Blackie.

"He hates kids, he is absolutely terrified of them," said Rasmussen.

"He is a funny old fella because so many things that would bother other horses don't affect him. Yet if a child walks past him he tries to take off. One night he took off out of the stables in Brisbane."

Blacks A Fake has won a remarkable 69 races and A$4.2 million ($5.7 million) in stakes.

Which makes him a big name in the sleepy Queensland town of Tambourine.

"We only come from a small town of around 2000 people and he has changed my life," says 34-year-old Rasmussen.

"When I was starting out it was hard for the girls to get respect in racing in Australia and we used to work really hard but have no money.

"Then he came along and everything changed. I have been all over Australia and now here, met some great people and he has given me confidence that if I work hard good things can happen."

Rasmussen says Blacks A Fake may need his first run in New Zealand and another next week to bring him up to peak fitness for the April 8 final but age is not going to be a problem.

"He might be 10 but he still acts like he is 5. He is just a really cool cat."

INTERDOMINIONS

* Annual transtasman harness racing carnival which brings together the equine elite.

* Series changed from Addington to Alexandra Park because of damage caused by last month's earthquake.

* Four heats tonight and next Friday before $800,000 pacing final and $250,000 trotting final on April 8.