The 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes odds on the Lindsay Park-trained Formality have firmed after the fillyâs win for the punters over the weekend in the Chairmanâs Stakes.
Jockey Craig Williams (pictured at Flemington) was impressed with the Ladbrokes Chairman’s Stakes win of Blue Diamond bound Formality. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
In her first start since a runaway four length win on debut at Werribee on January 5, the progressive daughter of Fastnet Rock retained her undefeated status at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday.
Going out the firm $2.45 favourite, Formality got the job done with a one and a half-length success in the $150,000 Group 3 Ladbrokes Chairmanâs Stakes (1000m).
Ridden by Craig Williams, the winner beat home the also promising Tony McEvoy-trained Time Awaits ($10) with the local Clinton McDonald-trained Spoils ($5) a close third to round out the all-filly trifecta.
âWhen the chips were down she was tough,â winning hoop Williams said after the victory.
âNo doubt theyâve backed right off her. Theyâve used this as an experience. It looks like a great preparation for the Diamond.â
Prior to the Group 3 win Formality was listed as a $15 shot in pre-field markets at Ladbrokes.com.au for the $1.5 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 25.
That price in futures Blue Diamond Stakes betting has firmed into $8 for Formality to hand co-trainer David Hayes with his sixth win in the two-years-old classic and first since Reaan (2008).
The stable have a stranglehold on early Blue Diamond markets also represented by Fastnet Rock filly Catchy ($8) who has won both her career starts to date.
The latest was over 1100m at Caulfield on January 7 when beating home Property by over two lengths.
She is set to race third-up this weekend on CF Orr Stakes Day in the $200,000 Group 2 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies and is the pick of the teamâs crop according to co-trainer Tom Dabernig.
“I think Catchy’s exposed form is excellent. She’s yet to have the whip pulled on her or anything,” he told Racing Ahead on RSN.
“She’s a big strong girl, so I’m sure she’s probably sitting just at the top.
“I think Formality has more improvement than the others. And she’s got that really good speed.
“She might put herself in a spot in the race where she won’t be vulnerable.â
Dabernig also believed Formality had plenty of room for improvement with the Blue Diamond Stakes coming up at the end of the month.
âVery taken by that. Thatâs not her grand final. Sheâs not fully wound up yet,â he told The Daily Telegraph.
To back your favourites for the Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 at the right price head to the race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au today!
2017 Ladbrokes Chairmanâs Stakes Results
Caulfield Racecourse â 04/02/2017
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
| 1 | 5 | FORMALITY | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Craig Williams | – | 7 | 54kg | $2.45F |
| 2 | 4 | TIME AWAITS | Tony McEvoy | Dwayne Dunn | 1.5L | 2 | 54kg | $10 |
| 3 | 3 | SPOILS | Clinton McDonald | Ben Melham | 1.7L | 4 | 54kg | $5 |
| 4 | 2 | FENG CHU | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Mark Zahra | 2.95L | 1 | 56kg | $21 |
| 5 | 6 | PAGEANTRY | Lee & Anthony Freedman | Damien Oliver | 3.45L | 3 | 54kg | $7 |
| 6 | 7 | BALLE DâOR | Robert Smerdon | Craig Newitt | 3.95L | 6 | 54kg | $61 |
| 7 | 1 | ASPECT | Tony McEvoy | Kerrin McEvoy | 4.7L | 5 | 58kg | $6.50 |
| 8 | 8 | BEHAVE | Michael Kent | Damian Lane | 6.7L | 8 | 54kg | $14 |
| – | 9 | PERISTROPHE | Robert Smerdon | Damian Lane | – | 0 | – | – |