Ex-district league footballer Kyabram enters million-dollar greyhound race

Formosa, along with owner Ben Peart, earned 100 times what they paid for Blue Kermaro after shelling out $10,000 for the dog the former found for sale online in February.

Blue Kermaro was a complete surprise in the final, racing past the bar in 29.41 seconds to take the top prize despite starting as a $19 rated outsider.

After the race, Formosa was overcome with emotion, trying to convey his feelings.

“I’ve been pretty confident all week and I just wanted to see him go (at the start),” Formosa told Greyhound Racing New South Wales.

“He’s just a dog ripper. You can’t describe this feeling. This is exactly what you want. This is what dreams are made of. It’s simply unrealistic.

“I’ve been saying that all week and even driving here (from Geelong) today I felt it… I thought he could win and so I wasn’t nervous and obviously he didn’t feel it. either, and he was too good. That’s all it was.

“To be honest, I don’t even care about the money because I just love winning these big races. This is my first big holiday and the biggest one on the calendar.”

Formosa’s furious post-race performance was expected given the gut-wrenching 30 seconds of action.

Blue Kermaro jumped well from box four but fell behind Sunset Fraser while favorite Explicit dropped out of the pack.

Rounding the bend, Blue Kermaro surged ahead despite Megatron snapping at his heels, and the Formosa-trained hound raced forward to take a three-quarter triumph.

The Million Dollar Chase grand final marked Blue Kermaro’s ninth win, increasing the total prize pool to a whopping $1,048,705.

For the 26-year-old Formosa, the win was undoubtedly a signature moment in his budding career, and also a special moment for Peart, who praised the former Redleg after Blue Kermaro’s million-dollar haul.

“Josh is such a good trainer, he just gives him every chance and the dog just loves racing here,” Peart said.

“I could move here. I love racing in New South Wales. My wife will probably take most of the money (prize money), but whatever I have left, I’ll probably stay here for a couple of weeks.

“Of course money changes your life, but when you’re a greyhound like me, you just love the game.

“That’s why I love winning these trophies. Yes, the prize money is life-changing, but we’re already thinking about making sure he does well and what’s next for all of us.”

With such a significant payday, Longwood residents will be hoping the club gets a new sponsor in Formosa.

The family is a familiar one at Redlegs Stadium, with Jordan Formosa being the senior team coach in 2024 and Jai Formosa also playing for the club in 2023 and 2024.

All three previously played for Strathfieldsay in the Bendigo Football Netball League as well as Heathcote, with Josh a former Bendigo Pioneer.