Formality will head to the 2017 Golden Rose after she returned to the races with a tough win in the 2017 Silver Shadow Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

Formality and Alizee fought out the finish in the 2017 Silver Shadow Stakes at Royal Randwick. Photo by: Steve Hart

Formality took up the lead as expected in the early stages of the Silver Shadow Stakes, but she looked like something of a sitting duck when Alizee cruised to her outside at the top of the straight.

Alizee headed Formality at the 200 metre mark, but she was never able to fight her off and the daughter of Fastnet Rock fought back in the final stages of the race to record a brave victory.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes was pleased to see Formality make a winning return to the races and he confirmed that the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) was the major 2017 Spring Racing Carnival goal for the talented filly.

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

“The main plan at the moment is the Golden Rose.

“She will run in the three-year-old race in two weeks’ time and will head towards that race.

“She has always been a big strong filly and I think that she has just matured.

“She is just fantastic.”

Kerrin McEvoy battled the flu about returning from the Shegar Cup meeting in the United Kingdom and there was a chance that he would miss the Warwick Stakes meeting, but he was able to prove his fitness after riding in barrier trials yesterday.

The leading jockey paid credit to the toughness of Formality and he revealed that he was always confident that the three-year-old would get the job done.

“It is always good to get back a winner,” McEvoy said.

“I was happy enough just to cruise along there.

“She (Alizee) got on level terms, but my filly performed at a higher level as a two-year-old and it was good to see her come back winning.”

Champagne Cuddles made up good ground to finish a close third after being well-backed late in betting.