Victorian Horse Of The Year

Victorian Horse Of The Year - Blacks A Fake

Harnesslink Admin 01:02 PM 16-Nov-2008 NZT

Blacks A Fake added yet another accolade to an already unforgettable 2007/08 season when he was named the 2008 Victorian Horse of the Year. The Natalie Rasmussen trained and driven gelding gained the judges nod to take his place on an honour roll containing harness racing greats including Maori's Idol, Popular Alm, Gammalite, Shakamaker, Sokyola and last year's winner Sting Lika Bee.

The Queenslander became only the third interstate horse to win Victorian harness racing's top award when crowned the 36th winner of the prestigious award.

Under the rules of the award, interstate horses are eligible for the award but can only be judged on their performances on Victorian tracks.

Blacks A Fake started just six times in Victoria, but his deeds will go down in history.

After becoming only the third pacer to win the Hunter Cup off a handicap of at least 30 metres, he grabbed another slice of history at Moonee Valley when he joined Our Sir Vancelot as the only horses to have won three Inter Dominion Grand Finals.

Blacks A Fake's six Victorian starts produced five wins and a narrow second to Safari in the Group 1 Ballarat Cup for $824,075 in earnings.

The eight-year-old's owner Vic Rasmussen, who made the trip down from Queensland especially for the ceremony, said it was a huge honour to win the award and paid special thanks to Harness Racing Victoria.

"To be able to travel with a horse like this is just unbelievable and it's a fantastic thrill to win this award," Rasmussen said.

"But without the help of HRV he wouldn't have even be here. They pushed mountains to get the interstate horses here after EI and we thank them for it."

The Victorian Horse of the Year was one of the many awards presented in front of a 650-seat audience in the Celebrity Room at Moonee Valley.

Connections of Maffioso and Danny Bouchea were invited to the winner's podium for the second year in a row.

Maffioso added the 3YO Pacing Colt or Gelding of the Year award to the 2YO trophy he pocketed last year, while Danny Bouchea claimed the 3YO Trotter of the Year award a season after being crowned the 2YO Trotter of the Year.

The 3YO Pacing Filly of the Year award is bound for New South Wales thanks to the deeds of Australian and Victoria Oaks winner Kept For Pleasure.

It's the second year in a row her owners, the Sloys Company, have received the trophy after Miss Hazel was awarded the title 12 months ago.

Iron filly Ananz was rewarded for her sensational 17-win season with the 2YO Pacing Filly of the Year trophy, Vicbred Super Series winner Living On Fire is the 2YO Pacing Colt or Gelding of the Year and Breeders Crown champion Magic Interest the 2YO Trotter of the Year.

Australian Trotting Grand Prix winner Sundons Gift added his name to the Victorian Trotter of the Year honour roll, edging out stablemate Galleons Sunset and Viva La Fever.

Last season's Victorian Trainer and Driver of the Year were also officially recognised at last night's function with Bendigo brothers Glenn and Daryl Douglas crowned the respective winners.

Completing a good night for the family was the presentation of the HROA Owner of the Year award, which was won by Glenn's father-in-law Eric Anderson.

Below is a list of last night's award winners:

Victorian Horse of the Year - Blacks A Fake*

Victorian Trotter of the Year - Sundons Gift

Victorian 2YO Pacing Colt / Gelding of the Year - Living On Fire

Victorian 2YO Pacing Filly of the Year - Ananz

Victorian 2YO Trotter of the Year - Magic Interest

Victorian 3YO Pacing Colt / Gelding of the Year - Maffioso

Victorian 3YO Pacing Filly of the Year - Kept For Pleasure*

Victorian 3YO Trotter of the Year - Danny Bouchea

Victorian Trainer of the Year - Glenn Douglas

Victorian Driver of the Year - Daryl Douglas

HROA Owner of the Year - Eric Anderson