Blackie would have become the world's oldest winning horse trainer if the galloper had enjoyed a better run in race 5.
Dipolmat settled well back in the field and ran on for fifth behind winner True Elegance
That meant Blackie was denied a late birthday present with her 4yr-old, just three days after she turned 100.
Karen Peters, who co-owns the horse and looked after him yesterday while the trainer watched from her Christchurch home, said Blackie would have been pleased with the horse's effort.
''I think the old girl would be happy with that,'' she quipped.
Diplomat's defeat has set the stage for Blackie to be able to take the world record for oldest winning trainer at one of the South Island's biggest racing carnivals.
The horse's fifth placing was enough to convince Peters the horse deserved a tilt at a maiden race at the Grand National carnival.
''He has got enough points now that we should be able to get in the maiden race at the Grand National Carnival.''
Rider Terry Moseley was encouraged by Diplomat's effort yesterday.
The jockey said the horse drawing the widest possible barrier in the 12-horse field was costly.
''Just the draw conspired against me. I jumped fair, but not good enough to head them off.
''He come into it nice on the corner, but the winner has pinched a bit of a break.
''He hasn't had a lot of luck with the draws lately.''
Moseley helped Orari trainer Lionel Dobbs win his first race in two seasons when riding Rothacker in race 5.
The horse's last-start third was the only time Dobbs had previously lined a horse up in the past two racing terms.
The trainer had not been completely off the racing scene in that time.
Dobbs has been campaigning standardbreds over the winter at Forbury Park recently.
