Fourth title for Blacks A Fake

Queensland nine-year-old pacer Blacks A Fake raced into "Interdominion immortality'' in Sydney last night, according to commentator Fred Hastings.

Driven by trainer Natalie Rasmussen, Blacks A Fake registered his fourth win in an Interdominion Pacing Championship final, winning last night's A$1 million 2300m feature from champion New Zealand pacer Monkey King.

It was Blacks A Fake's 61st win at just his 82nd start, taking his earnings to about A$4.2 million, and the achievement had Hastings in raptures in his commentary.

"Blacks A Fake races into Interdominion immortality. Four grand finals - you beauty,'' he said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you have witnessed history at Menangle Park today. Blacks A Fake has done it.''

From barrier three, Rasmussen had Blacks A Fake position three back in the running line after Bondy and Smoken Up speared forward on his outside to race on the speed.

Washakie made the pace from his inside draw with Smoken Up sitting parked for the trip with Our Awesome Ambro in the trail and Bondy in the one-out and one-back position fourth.

Monkey King trailed Blacks A Fake and when Rasmussen peeled three wide to make her run inside the last 800m, driver Ricky May followed and looked set to sprint past the Queenslander when they straightened.

However, one of the all-time stars of the Australian harness scene was having none of that and kept up a strong run to the line, winning by 1 1/4 lengths in a time of 2:42.6.

Smoken Up held third from a fast-finishing Changeover and Cambridge driver David Butcher.

Bondy and Baileys Dream were the next pair home.

Broadcaster Adam Hamilton said Blacks A Fake's win was "the greatest moment in Australian harness racing history, arguably the greatest moment in Australian racing history''.
Rasmussen was swamped by autograph hunters after the historic win.
  
"I've always thought of him as the best. Now hopefully everyone else will,'' she said. 

"He just continues to amaze. He felt great today, although I was a bit worried when Monkey King was on my back and following me into the race. I thought he could probably beat me with that run but to Blacks A Fake's credit he held him off. He's just so tough.''

Ricky May said Monkey King didn't travel as well as he usually did in the race but added: ''He was beaten by a champion.'' Additional reporting AAP

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