Giant pacer Ultimate Art is back on track.
And the Queensland winter carnival looms as a major target for the established open class performer.
Back with original trainer Mick Formosa at Ellalong, near Newcastle, the Modern Art entire freshened nicely following his Brisbane campaign last year for Logan Reserve conditioners Shannon Price and Scott Miller.
Ultimate Art ventured to the Newcastle trials last night (Wednesday) and performed nicely finishing second to proven Group One winner Rockmemama in a time of 1:59.4.
The final half was covered in 57.3 seconds with the final split recorded in 27.6 seconds.
“It was just a nice quiet trial and a perfect opportunity to get him away from home and stretch his legs a bit more. I thought his final half was more than adequate and importantly, he came through the workout really well.” Formosa said.
Ultimate Art has not raced since finishing fifth behind Aztec Bromac in the $20,540 Christmas Cup at Albion Park on December 10.
Three starts ago, the proven Group One winner claimed the Remembering ‘Speed King’ Open Pace at Albion Park in a time of 1:51.9.
But the campaign was punctuated with a number of niggling issues which prevented him from producing his best.
And Formosa wants him at his best before returning.
“It’s fair to say things didn’t go the way we planned but we can’t change what happened, he enjoyed his break and feels like he’s back to his best. I don’t have anything to work with him at home so the trials are the best thing for him.
“He will definitely trial again and the likely start point will be the Armidale Cup on March 11, I’m keen to head to Bathurst and tackle the open class feature during Gold Crown week.
“All going to plan, the Brisbane carnival is certainly on the radar because he just loves it up there. The Sunshine Sprint and Blacks A Fake are key targets.”
In 2016, Ultimate Art finished third behind Ohoka Punter and Hectorjayjay in the Blacks A Fake.
Ultimate Art is the winner of 11 races at Albion Park.
Chris Barsby | RQ Web News | February 22