First Seal back to her best with Surround Stakes win

Impressive Surround Stakes winner First Seal was back to best at Warwick Farm today and  is set to take on the older mares in the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 14.

First Seal scored an easy win in the Surround Stakes at Warwick Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

First Seal scored an easy win in the Surround Stakes at Warwick Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

The John Thompson trained First Seal made it an one act affair when she ran home to score an outstanding two and three quarter lengths win against the fillies in the Group 2 $175,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) today.

Winning rider Blake Shinn had no worries at all when he eased the Fastnet Rock filly to the middle of the track at the top of straight before she treated the opposition with contempt as he urged her past them under hand and heels riding.

First Seal was always in the red when betting opened on Wednesday when the field was released and started at the short odds of $1.50.

Runner up Supara from the Gai Waterhouse stable was one of the outsiders of the field at $26 while third placegetter Slightly Sweet started a $21 chance.

Thompson said the Coolmore Classic had always been in the plans for First Seal’s Autumn Carnival campaign and he and his connections will decide after that if she goes onto the Group 1 $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 28 against the fillies or take on the older horses in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 4.

“She goes to the Coolmore next run, that was always the plan and depending on how she runs it that we will decide if she goes to the Vinery or the Doncaster,” Thompson said.

Today’s wins made amends for her first up defeat when second to Adrift in the Group 2 $175,000 Liberty International Underwriters Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick two weeks ago.

“She was underdone last start, but I thought she would probably win,” Thompson said.

“She found a bit of trouble and the track didn’t help her that day.”

“Today was a different story. Just give her clear running and she will do the rest.”

“I don’t care where she is in the race. I said to Blake this morning it doesn’t matter if you are firs or lastt, just giver clear room and she will do the job.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.