One, two for Formosa’s new horses

It is always a shot in the arm for any harness racing trainer to win a prominent race, but it is even more satisfying when they provide the quinella.

That was how things turned out for Hunter Valley horseman Michael Formosa on Friday night at Newcastle in the two-year-old colts and geldings heat of the NSW Breeders Challenge.

And what made it even more satisfying is that Formosa has only had both horses in his care for less than a month.

“I was lucky enough to quinella the Breeders heat last Friday night,” said Formosa.

“Bat Matson, the horse that won the race, is a new acquisition to our stable. I brought him with a couple of mates, and he had only been in my care for just under a week, so he has turned out to be a good purchase for us.”

“I have to give his previous trainer, Andrew Stapleford a lot of the credit for his win. Obviously, Andrew gave him some good grounding before he came to me.”

Formosa’s runner up, Damiano came to Formosa through unfortunate circumstances.

Sydney trainer Ross Adams was involved in a nasty race fall at Penrith in October which resulted in him having to send his horses to other trainers.

“When Ross had the bad fall in October, I picked up a couple of horses from his owners, one was Stellina and the other was Damiano.”

“Damiano was really strong in running second behind Bat Matson on Friday night. He only failed by a head. It was very satisfying for me that the pair fought out the race.”

“Stellina has been really good to us so far. She won a heat of the three-year-old Breeders Challenge at her first run for me and her runs since have been respectable”.

The filly is Formosa’s only runner this afternoon at Newcastle and has drawn gate one in race four.

“I think she will run a good race from the draw and should be hard to beat.”

“She is my only runner today, but I am looking forward to Friday when I will be backing her up in the Regional Breeders Challenge heat for the three year old fillies. My other filly Heavenly Holly is in the same division while Pops Boy will contest the three year old Colts and Geldings heat.”

To view the fields for Newcastle on Monday click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW