Formality rockets into Blue Diamond favouritism after Stakes win
BOOKMAKERS were forced to quickly adjust their Blue Diamond markets when the talented Lindsay Park filly Formality won The Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Hayes/Dabernig-trained two-year-old was the firm $2.40 favourite having won on debut at Werribee by over four lengths, and it’s now into $5.50 for the Blue Diamond after scoring a brilliant win at Caulfield.
The well-bred daughter of Fastnet Rock was challenged around the home turn, but its class kicked in and winning jockey Craig Williams was able to get the most out of it in the closing stages.
“She was impressive at Werribee, the stable said she has come on and I talked to Mark Zahra about her yesterday, he loved her and I now know why he loves her,” Williams said.
“She’s very good, very tough. We’ve got a strong handle for the Blue Diamond.”
For a filly to find extra when under pressure was impressive and Williams believes the outing will have it in good condition for the feature later this month.
“That’s the exciting part about it,” Williams said. “They’ve used this as an experience, another run, money money.
“It looks like great preparation and she’s now got three weeks, all going well, into the Blue Diamond.”
Co-trainer Tom Dabernig was pleased with the way the filly flew the barriers and was able to settle throughout the run.
“I was really taken by that she was able to show good speed from the gate,” Dabernig said. “I like the way she got there and was able to relax.
“When she was asked to dig deep she drew away again.”
Dabernig has his eyes set on the Blue Diamond with the Coolmore Stud filly and there’s plenty of improvement to come.
“We try use the lead-ups not as the grand final, so she’s not fully wound up yet,” he said. “There’s improvement to come – for mine she’s still got improvement there which is a really good sign.
“She’s got the pedigree and she’s got the performace, so she’s a really exciting filly.”
Lindsay Park Racing won’t be tempted to having another run before the Blue Diamond, but the Group 1 Golden Slipper is a possiblity.
“No, we won’t fall into that trap. She goes straight into the big one now,” Dabernig said.
“It (Golden Slipper) would all depend on her, how she’s holding together. She’s got the constitution to do it, that’s for sure.”
Dabernig couldn’t split his Blue Diamond runners Catchy and Formality, and said it will come down the race conditions on the day.
“It’s really hard, the form around Catchy is excellent,” he said. “I thought that was very impressive today so she’s right there for sure.
“It will come down to the barriers and conditions on the day. I think Craig Williams is going to be very confused as to what to do.”