3 minute read

Andrew Balding’s Formal proved she enjoyed the unique tests of Epsom when running out a ready winner of the opening Listed Surrey Stakes on Oaks Day.

A two-time scorer over seven furlongs as a juvenile, Formal arrived at Epsom looking to build on her eighth-place finish in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury on her reappearance in April.

With that initial outing under her belt, the former Sir Michael Stoute-trained inmate was sent off a very well-backed 9/4 joint favourite to get back to winning ways.

Under an uncomplicated Oisin Murphy ride, Formal eased to the front in the straight before kicking clear of Ralph Beckett's Saqqara Sands, who kept to her task well, but could ultimately only finish one and half lengths adrift.

Fellow joint market leader Diego Ventura ran on nicely from off the pace to finish back in third, although he never looked like playing a major role for James Doyle and Wathnan Racing after missing the kick.

"I thought she ran well in the Fred Darling, but it was a funny race, and she got impeded at a vital stage and didn't give her true running," said Balding.

"It made our decision easy, and we skipped any idea of a Guineas and rebooted, and this became the obvious choice. It's a relief to see her win like that.

"She had been quite keen early doors at home and her work is very good at home, but we thought now she had the first run under her belt we would take the hood off. She travelled really strongly but didn't over-race."

A trip to Goodwood now looks on the cards, with Balding looking to target the Oak Tree Stakes later next month.

He added: "I think we'll probably wait for something like the Oak Tree. I don't think we want to be squeezing races into her and that looks the right spot. After that we know she goes well on slow ground so we would have the whole autumn ahead of us.

"She looked quite good there, but we will take it step by step."