Formality has taken a significant step towards the Golden Rose with a record-breaking win in the Group Two Silver Shadow Stakes.
Racing for the first time since runner-up in the Percy Sykes Stakes during The Championships in April, Formality fought off the $2.50 favourite Alizee to claim a long-head win.
Backed by a tailwind down the Randwick straight, Formality ($3.70) eclipsed Speak Fondly’s record of 1min09.47secs in 2015 in clocking 1:08.83.
Kerrin McEvoy, who was struck down by the flu during the week, took the initiative to lead and he was never concerned despite Alizee’s challenge.
“She (Alizee) got on level terms but I always had a little bit of a margin,” he said.
“My filly’s performed to a high level as a two-year-old so it’s good to see her come back winning.”
Co-trainer Ben Hayes was also pleased to see the three-year-old pick up where she left off over autumn.
“It was good to see her fight back and get up,” said Hayes.
Hayes said Formality would aim for the Group One Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 23.
“The main plan at the moment is the Golden Rose. She’ll run in the three-year-old race in two weeks time here and head for that race,” he said.
Formality’s third win from six starts also saw her shorten from $20 to $15 on TAB fixed odds for the Group One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on October 14.
