Recent Menangle winner Jak Magic will headline Michael Muscat's team at Bathurst on Wednesday night. Photo by Club Menangle
MICHAEL Muscat recently decided that it was the right time in his life to make a change and he now has no regrets that he chose to re-locate from Sydney to Bathurst.
“I am really loving it out there in the central west. The people that I have got to know are so friendly and the lifestyle is most definitely more relaxed than in the city,” said Muscat.
Since moving west, Muscat has had five winners, his most notable being Jak Magic, which provided him with his first Menangle Country Series Final three weeks ago.
Muscat has no fear in travelling with his team and has already been seen all around the countryside at tracks like Dubbo, Junee, Young and Parkes.
“Bathurst is quite central to many tracks which gives me lots of options to race my horses in suitable races and I have enjoyed the trips to places that I had not been to before,” said Muscat.
“Unfortunately, I have been unable to drive the horses myself due to sustaining some injuries in some falls earlier in 2020.
“But I have been fortunate to have secured some of the best drivers from the area, who are keen to drive my horses, which is very humbling.
“I have not had all that many starters to date, so I am pleased to have already chalked up five winners since moving.
“In fact, I don’t think many of them have missed a cheque either.”
Muscat said that eventually he wanted to return to race driving, but is in no rush.
“I do miss driving in races but while things are ticking over as well as they currently are, there is no real urgency to get back,” he said.
On Wednesday night, Muscat is “at home” with four runners on a solid Bathurst program.
“I find it hard to pinpoint a standout from my team tonight as all four appear to be top chances,” he said.
“Jak Magic was so strong in winning at Menangle last start and Lord Heston bolted in on Boxing night.
“Although Dargos Pet was beaten last time out when an odds-on favourite we were happy with his effort while Shes All Smiles is one to follow as she is on the improve and I think she can go very close to winning.”
