First Seal Given Quiet Barrier Trial

Talented filly First Seal impressed onlookers in her first public appearance since the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival to finish second behind Atmospherical in the sixth barrier trial over 800 metres at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

First Seal was one of the star fillies of the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival and performed well in a barrier trial at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

First Seal was one of the star fillies of the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival and performed well in a barrier trial at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Atmospherical took up the running in the early stages of the trial, but was quickly challenged by both Muscovado and Fontelina, while First Seal was settled in fourth position just behind the leaders.

First Seal was taken to the outside of the field by jockey Blake Shinn and worked home strongly despite being kept under a heavy hold, but Atmospherical recorded took out the trial after being shaken up by jockey Tim Clark.

First Seal stamped herself as a filly to watch when she upset Winx and Earthquake to take out the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on September 20 and she proved that performance was no fluke when she recorded a dominant win in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on October 4 before she was beaten by Hampton Court in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) a week later.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock is set to return to racing in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 and will contest both the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 and the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14 before she potentially pushes on to races like the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 4 and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) a week later.

Atmospherical was having her second barrier trial this preparation and looks on track for a returning to racing in the next fortnight after hitting the line well.

The Northern Meteor mare took out the Canterbury League Club Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on October 25 and she recorded an impressive win in the Listed Earl Grey Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on November 6.

2013 Crown Oaks winner Kirramosa was given a very quiet barrier trial, but appears to be over the hamstring issue that forced her to the spelling paddock after she finished 11th in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on October 11.

Trainer John Sargent has not decided where Kirramosa will start her autumn preparation, but she is likely to head to races like the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Her stablemate Thunder Lady was also given a quiet barrier trial in her first public appearance since she finished second in the Crown Oaks and she is on a path to the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.