First Seal has been scratched from the 2015 Warwick Stakes at Royal Randwick after being found with a brewing foot abscess this morning.

First Seal has been withdrawn from the 2015 Warwick Stakes field due to a foot abscess. Photo by: Steve Hart

First Seal was a clear favourite to make a winning return to racing in the Warwick Stakes, but trainer John Thompson elected to take no chances with the Fastnet Rock mare and will save her for the Group 2 Tramway Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on September 5.

Tommy Berry was booked to ride First Seal in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) and he told Sky Racing HQ that he was disappointed to miss on riding the four-year-old for the first time, but he said he was simply glad that the setback did not take place later in her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.

“It was definitely disappointing,” Thompson said.

“It is not her grand-final, it is only early on in the prep and there is another suitable race in two weeks for her.

“We are lucky it is only a foot abscess and nothing too big.

“I am sure that she will get over that and she will probably just be a little bit fitter if anything for her first-up run.”

There are plenty of options for First Seal during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival and she could head towards the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) in Sydney or head to Melbourne for the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).

First Seal stamped herself as the best filly in Australia when she recorded impressive wins in both the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but she was a slight disappointment during her autumn campaign.

The filly started her campaign with a second place finish behind Adrift in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 and she returned to winning form in the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28, but she was subsequently denied wins as an odd-on favourite in both the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14 and the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28.

Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec is now available at 2015 Warwick Stakes odds of $4.60 and is a narrow favourite from It’s Somewhat ($5.50), Royal Descent ($5.50), Burbero ($5.50), Pornichet ($7.50) and Messene ($9.50).