First Seal went straight to the top of 2015 Doncaster Mile betting markets after she returned to winning form in the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens, but trainer John Thompson has revealed that she is no certainty to contest the Group 1 event during The Championships.

First Seal returned to her best with an outstanding win in the 2015 Surround Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

First Seal did not show her usual turn-of-foot when she returned to racing with a second place finish in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on February 14, but she showed her explosive best in the Surround Stakes.

Thompson confirmed after the Surround Stakes that First Seal will have her next race start in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14 and her performance in that race will decide whether she contests the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 4 or the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28.

“We will take it one run at a time,” Thompson said.

“She goes to the Coolmore next start at Rosehill and we will decide after she runs there whether she goes to the Doncaster or back to the three-year-old fillies at set weights over 2000.

“There are a few races after that as well, but we are just going to take it one run at a time and I suppose the next question is how she measures up against the older mares.

“If she wins again in the Coolmore she will go to the Doncaster and depending on that we will back-up in either the Queen Elizabeth or the Queen Of The Turf.

“If she runs well in the Coolmore and doesn’t win she will go to the Vinery and maybe the Queen Of The Turf.”

First Seal is expected to race on at the end of his three-year-old season and Thompson is already eyeing some of the bigger races during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival with the daughter of Fastnet Rock.

The three-year-old will likely be included in the nominations for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), but Thompson expects that the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley will be the major goal for the talented filly.

“Obviously if she comes through the autumn like she is going, I guess a race like the Cox Plate would be something that we would aim it,” Thompson said.

First Seal is currently available at 2015 Doncaster Mile odds of $9 with Ladbrokes and is priced at a quote of $11 in 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting markets.