Formosa import up for battle at Newcastle

Ellalong harness racing trainer Michael Formosa hopes promising Kiwi Military Man can overcome another bad draw at Newcastle Paceway on Friday night as he builds towards a potential shot at the Inter City Pace.

Formosa brought over Military Man and Ruby Baby from New Zealand after selling Doubledelightbrigade to America.

Ruby Baby has won her past three runs for Formosa, at Tamworth and Penrith, and Military Man has finished top four in four starts, all at Newcastle.

The four-year-old has the back-row start again in the opening event on Friday night but Formosa believed it was an easier race.

"It goes pretty good but he hasn't really had a lot of luck since I've had him," Formosa said. "He's had to do it tough every start but he's definitely got a bit of ability.

"Hopefully once he gets up in grade a bit it might actually be easier for him, instead of having to do all the work himself all the time.

"Last week he had to sit outside them and they went 1:53 and he ran third. He was entitled to get beat a long way but he held on pretty good.

"I'd say he'll be in for another tough trip tomorrow night but it's probably a bit easier race than what he was in last week."

Race one on Friday is set down for 6.33pm.

Craig Kerry

Reprinted with permission of The Newcastle Herald