Formality has produced a smart kick in the final straight at Randwick this afternoon to win the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at her first-up start.

Formality mustered a strong kick to beat Alizee on the line in the Silver Shadow Stakes this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart

Jumping from the gates well, jockey Kerrin McEvoy allowed Formality to stride forward and immediately take up the running; setting a fair tempo for the small Silver Shadow Stakes field alongside favourite Alizee.

Experiencing a carefree run in transit, the Fastnet Rock filly dropped back into the field with 300m to run, but locked in a fierce sprint battle with the Godolphin filly and kicked extremely well to find the line a short nose in the clear; Champagne Cuddles flying home to finish a close third.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes was pleased with Formality’s first-up performance and underlined the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) as a third-up target for the filly this time.

“She was really tough down the straight, it was really good to see her fight back and get up,” Hayes said.

“The main plan at the moment is probably the Golden Rose. She’ll have a run in the three-year-old race here in two weeks’ time here and then head towards that race.

“She’s always been a big, strong filly and I think she’s just matured.”

McEvoy delivered a gem of a ride aboard Formality to walk away the Silver Shadow Stakes winner and believes that she will only improve with racing.

“The wind is quite strong and it’s probably going to come into play from the mile onwards along the back, but I was happy enough to just cruise along then,” McEvoy said.

“She (Alizee) got on level terms, but I always had a little bit of a margin and my filly performed at a high level as a two-year-old, so it’s good to see her coming back and winning early in spring.”

In being crowned the Silver Shadow Stakes winner, Formality has extended her record to a commendable three wins and two minors through only six career starts to date.