The racing career of Down Under’s greatest pacer Blacks A Fake may be over. Tests this week will decide whether the rising 10-year-old megastar son of Fake Left graces a racetrack again.
The four-time Inter Dominion champion sent shockwaves across the country when he dropped out and was virtually pulled out of his first-up race at Albion Park last Saturday night.
Initially it was feared Blacks A Fake had bled, but an immediate post-race inspection showed instead he had suffered atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular heartbeat.
Trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen said her champion seemed bright the day after the race, but quickly added tests this week were crucial.
“His heart is back in sync and he seems fine. He’s eaten-up well this morning and seems a happy horse,” she said Sunday. “He’ll go in for ECG tests during the week and I’m not making any decisions before then.
“His health has and always will come first. If there’s the slightest hint of a problem with the ECG then he’ll be retired straight away. We’ve had lots of horses have the same problem and comeback totally fine.
“Obviously I’m hoping he gets the all clear and if so he’ll have a few weeks off then I might get him ready for the big races here in October or wait for the Victoria Cup in December.”
Blacks A Fake was sent out a $1.60 (for a $1 bet) favorite Saturday night, but started to struggle 500 meters from home and failed to respond when Rasmussen urged him so she eased him right out of the race.
The gelding boasts the greatest record of any Australasian pacer with 83 starts for 61 wins and a Down Under record $4,179,693 (Aus.) in earnings.--By Adam Hamilton
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