Trained by the Hayes / Dabernig partnership, Formality (pictured Steve Hart) was brilliant in winning the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes at her first run back from a spell and was able to repeat that performance with another tenacious victory in the Group II ATC Furious Stakes over 1200 metres at Randwick.
Formality was always up on the pace for Kerrin McEvoy and refused to surrender in a tight finish to claim a half head win over Champagne Cuddles.
Formality was a modest $120,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft
by Inglis as agent and runs for Coolmore and partners for whom she has won four
of seven starts earning $585,200.Co-trainer Ben Hayes was impressed with the win, but doubted Coolmore Stud would open their slot for the $10 million Everest to Formality on the strength of her last two victories.
"She's probably not dominating her races. It's up to them but the Golden Rose looks a very suitable race," Hayes said.
"That's the number one plan and I'd say we'll go there."
Bred by Dr K Tan and foaled and raised at Coolmore, Formality is the best of four winners from four foals to race from 2009 Singapore Horse of the Year, Jolie's Shinju (Jpn), a daughter of the Halo sire Jolie's Halo.
Given her pedigree and courage at the finish, Hayes believes the step up to 1400m in the Golden Rose will not be an issue.
"I wouldn't say she was weakening at the end of that race. She was strong, I think 1400 will suit her," he said.
"She's got plenty of improvement in her. Her coat's still falling out as you can see."
Formality's dam Jolie's Shinju is due to foal to Choisir.
Exciting Ciaron Maher trained colt Merchant Navy (pictured Grant Courtney) quickly made it a Group double for Fastnet Rock when he powered home from back in the field to win the Group III MRC HDF McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.
The colt maintained his unbeaten status at his first run of the spring, surging home for Mark Zahra to win the 1200 metre sprint by a head taking his overall record to four wins with prizemoney just shy of $200,000.
"He's a very exciting colt and you just love to see them resume like that," Maher said.
"He'd furnished during the break and put the writing on the wall with his trials and the team has done a great job to get him here today."
Group I goals are on the agenda for the royally bred colt, who runs for a partnership that includes Coolmore.
"He was nice and relaxed today which is a great sign for the future as he was quite a raw colt and wanted to get on with it a little bit as a two-year-old," Maher said
"Now he's furnished into a more rounded racehorse and stretching out over the longer trips he looks as though he will relax really well.
"He actually raced like a horse looking for a trip today he was so
relaxed. He's a pretty casual bugger, really good set of lungs and he's really
well bred."He'll go to the Golden Rose next in three weeks then back here for the Caulfield Guineas."
A $350,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Segenhoe Stud draft for Ciaron Maher Racing, Merchant Navy is a full brother to Group II winner Jolie Bay and stakes-placed Zara Bay.
Bred by Chris Barham and foaled and raised at Segenhoe, Merchant Navy is one of six winners from the good producing Snippets Group III winner Legally Bay, a half-sister to Group I winner Bonaria.
