Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Next For Formality

Formality will head straight to the 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes after he made it two wins from as many starts in the Ladbrokes Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon.

There was plenty of hype surrounding Formality following her dominant four and a half lengths victory in the Better Solar Maiden (1100m) at Werribee on January 5 and she justified that support with a professional effort.

The Fastnet Rock filly jumped straight to lead, but she was quickly challenged by Spoils and that battle ensure that there would be plenty of early speed.

Spoils looked as though he would tough to fight off, but class prevailed in the final stages and Formality ran away from her rival in the last 150 metres to score a comfortable victory.

Co-trainer Tom Dabernig said that the Lindsay Park team has always had a strong opinion of Formality, but he could not help but be impressed with the quality of her performance in the Ladbrokes Chairman’s Stakes.

“I was really taken by that,” Dabernig said.

“She was really able to take nice speed from the gate, but I like the way that she got there and was then able to relax.

“When she was asked to dig deep she then drew away again.

“We generally use the lead-ups not as a Grand Final, so she is not fully wound up yet and there is improvement to come.

“For mine she still has improvement there, which is a really good sign.

“She has the pedigree and she has the performance.”

Dabernig confirmed that Formality will have her next race start in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 25 and he believes she is worthy of her place in the Group 1 event.

“We won’t fall into the trap of running her again and she will go straight into the big one,” Dabernig said.

“Her campaign would all depend on how she is holding together and she has the constitution to go right through to the Golden Slipper.”

Time Awaits failed the line strongly to finish in second, while Spoils tired late but was still able to hang on for third.

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.