Golden Rose For Formality After Furious Stakes Win

Formality will head to the 2017 Golden Rose in a fortnight after she made it back-to-back wins with a brave victory in the Furious Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

Formality, Champagne Cuddles, I Am Excited and Alizee fought out the finish in the Furious Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Formality, Champagne Cuddles, I Am Excited and Alizee fought out the finish in the Furious Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Formality settled just behind the leader Joyfilly Ours in the early stages of the race and just like in the Silver Shadow Stakes that proved to be a winning play, while Champagne Cuddles was forced to settle at the tail of the field.

Champagne Cuddles found the line very strongly and threw everything at Formality late, but the Formality was able to hold-on to record another black-type win.

The Furious Stakes win of Formality gave Kerrin McEvoy an early treble at Royal Randwick on Chelmsford Stakes Day and he is of the opinion that the daughter of Fastnet Rock still has more to give this preparation.

“She is brilliant from the gates and she has a great will to win,” McEvoy said.

“She relaxed nicely and I was pretty happy turning for home.

“She showed a really good turn-of-foot today, so she has improved again and she just wants to get the job done and win.

“I only just held-on then, but I was still hitting the line strong and I am sure they will try her at 1400.”

Co-trainer Ben Hayes admitted after the race that he had his heart in his mouth when Champagne Cuddles charged at Formality and he was delighted to see the talented filly score another big race win.

Hayes said that there are plenty of options for Formality during the 2017 Spring Racing Carnival, but he revealed that she would likely have her next race start in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens in three weeks.

“She was very tough again,” Hayes said.

“Coming down the straight she might not have seen them with that one-eyed blinker on.

“They were all flying out wide late, but it was a really good win.

“At the moment we will lean towards the Golden Rose with her.

“That is the number one plan and I say that we will go there.

“1400 metres will suit her.”

Champagne Cuddles produced impressive closing sectionals once again and with a touch of luck in running would have won the Furious Stakes.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.