"Now, I will trial him either Tuesday or Thursday next week before heading to Sydney on Sunday week. "I am looking to start him in the Cordina Sprint on November 21, which is the week before the Miracle Mile. "That run should top him off for the big one."

"The Club Directors had no hesitation in issuing Blacks A Fake the first invitation," Club Chief Executive, John Dumesny said.

"The fact Natalie wishes to start her champion in the Cordina Sprint wasn't taken into consideration, as every aspect of the invitation process is based on merit and the Directors have placed the best horse first on the list. "If a horse requires a race start, it would be against the best interests of the connections, the Club and the Miracle Mile, to influence this important stage of its preparation.

"It will now be interesting to follow the decisions of the connections of other contenders in their quest for a Miracle Mile invitation, as the Cordina Sprint is the Club's race." Blacks A Fake, Australasia's first $3million pacer, has been ultra impressive since resuming from a spell this season.

The tough son of Fake Left captured the Grand Circuit double in his home State last month - the Queensland Pacing Championship and Trans-Tasman - and hasn't looked like being beaten either!

"I couldn't have been happier with his runs up here," Rasmussen said. "He has come through them well and I gave him a few days off after the Trans-Tasman, just to freshen him up. "He is bright and looking tremendous." Aiming to become the fourth pacer to win four consecutive Inter Dominion trophies, Blacks A Fake has been set for the Miracle Mile for the last two years.

One of the few remaining Grand Circuit trophies on the eastern seaboard he is yet to capture, the son of Fake Left had an interrupted preparation leading into the 2006 Miracle Mile. Finishing like a stream train, Blacks A Fake finished a close second to fellow Queenslander, Be Good Johnny that year.

Last year's Miracle Mile was cancelled due to equine influenza, however, this year, Rasmussen now has all the ingredients necessary to capture the $500,000 event.

"There is no doubt his preparation is going to be a lot better this time around," she stated. "I will be able to arrive in Sydney a few weeks before the race, give him a trial and a run before we compete in the Miracle Mile. "After that, it should be all systems go."

Sean VELLA