Hoofing it to victory

AN OLYMPIC athlete has beaten a horse in a race in Darwin.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist John Steffensen won a sprint against Faslination at the Darwin Turf Club yesterday.

The racehorse had to run 200m while Steffensen had to run 100m, with the human athlete winning by a couple of metres.

‘‘It’s all a bit of fun,’’ he said. ‘‘Not many people can say they’ve gone to the Olympics and raced a horse.’’

Both contenders were going into the race with a good chance.

Faslination has had an impressive career, winning nine races and finishing others with many placings.

Steffensen has accolades of his own, winning a silver medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics for the 4x400m relay and a gold medal in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games 400m.

The athlete said before the race that he was full of nerves.

‘‘ Before seeing Fazzy I was confident but after I had a look at him, I’m apprehensive,’’ he said.

But he did not have to worry, taking out first place in the unusual event.

Check out the video of the

race at ntnews.com.au