THIS month's Queensland Pacing Championship and Trans-Tasman features at Albion Park are at Blacks A Fake's mercy unless rival drivers decide to race more aggressively against the triple Interdominion champion.

Allowed to stroll to the lead in the 1609-metre Gold Coast Cup on Friday night, trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen got away with a 30.9 second quarter before Blackie finally clicked up a gear to easily beat Tip Your Hat and Be Good Johnny.

With NSW's best pacer Divisive a non-acceptor after succumbing to a lung infection last week, the race was as good as over after half a lap. Let's hope the champ draws badly in Brisbane to at least put some interest into the two group 1 races.

In Auckland on Friday night, 2007 NSW Derby winner Gotta Go Cullen threw New Zealand Cup betting markets into chaos when he rocketed from his 20m handicap and never surrendered the lead in the group 3 Kumeu Founders Cup (2700m).

NZ Cup favourite Changeover settled sixth and could only improve one spot in the run home as Gotta Go Cullen peeled off a 55.3s last half in beating Monkey King and Baileys Dream.

At Harold Park, Holy Camp Boy graduated from five straight bush wins to emerge as a rising talent on Friday night. The five-year-old sprinted around the entire M0 field in 300m to win running away. One more attempt EIGHTEEN months ago Tealsby Karita looked a serious Interdominion contender in blitzing New Zealand Cup winner Flashing Red to win the WA Pacing Cup at Gloucester Park in track-record time.

A week later he failed in the Australian Pacing Championship in Perth and trainer Gary Hall knew something was wrong.

The gelding almost died from a blocked intestine but recovered and returned to the racetrack in August last year.

After only one placing from three starts, Hall abandoned the campaign. However, time heals and Tealsby Karita is set to make another comeback in a restricted race at Gloucester Park tomorrow afternoon. Adding more interest, he'll be driven by Athens hockey gold medallist Michael Brennan.

dmurray@illawarramercury.com.au