It has been a great year in the harness racing sport for Michael Formosa.
He won a heat of the Inter Dominion with Ultimate Art and in the process qualified for the $750,000 Gr. 1 final.
Formosa added to that thrill by winning the Bathurst Gold Crown, driving the Sam Dimarco trained Shadow Runner to victory.
On Monday Formosa will head to Muswellbrook in an attempt to win the Hunter Valley Harness Racing Association Cup at the club’s Carnival Of Cups meeting.
“I have Best Of Times going around in that race, he is a 10 year old now but if he found 90% of his best he would win that race I think,” Formosa said.
“He has had a couple of issues and hasn’t raced for nearly a month but he has been working well at home so we will see how he goes on Monday.
"Strathlachlan Andy has been racing really well and is the obvious horse to beat.”
Formosa will start Mondo Courage in one of the Menangle Country heats.
“Mondo Courage is starting to race well again and I give her a good chance especially from the good draw.”
“She has been working really well at home too, Ricky Hunt drove her for me last start and she finished second behind Scotch Creek, I know she has only won one race but I don’t think her next win is too far away.”
The third of Formosa’s runners to compete on Monday is Ultimate Ace but he has to overcome a poor draw after coming up with barrier six.
“His last two runs were at Bathurst and they weren’t as bad as they read on paper so if he can overcome the gate then I think he will be in the finish.”
“The Muswellbrook track is really well shaped and for its size is a very good one, I’m looking forward to Monday’s meeting.”
The Easter long weekend is going to be a busy one for the Formosa’s with the family planning a trip to Gunning for the NSW Mini Trotting Championships.
“Chloe and Emily are looking forward to competing on Saturday and Sunday, we are taking two ponies down to Gunning for them to compete on.”
“I’ve got a few horses in at Maitland on Saturday but Ricky Hunt will be looking after them while I am away.”
Formosa’s stable star Ultimate Art is back in work but may miss this month’s Len Smith Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
“Yeah he is probably a bit behind where he should be if he was going to compete in the Len Smith so I think he will miss that, have a few runs at Menangle and then head to Queensland for the Winter Carnival.”
Greg Hayes – Harness Racing New South Wales