Blake Shinn has added to an aura of autumn expectation surrounding First Seal, declaring the filly among the best horses he has ridden.
And if she wasn’t already one of the buzz horses of Sydney racing, Shinn’s rating of the John Thompson-trained filly will create further interest when she resumes in a star-studded Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
First Seal
Shinn has ridden a Melbourne Cup winner as well as enjoying Group One victories on Streama and Appearance and he says First Seal already ranks alongside them despite having raced only six times.
“She’s one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden,” Shinn said.
“She’s got a great turn of foot, she’s strong, she’s got a great presence about her.”
Winner of the Flight Stakes, First Seal resumes against last year’s Golden Slipper winner Mossfun as well as Peggy Jean, Winx and Onemorezeta.
But bookmakers have her favourite to make a winning return, marking her a $2.90 chance ahead of Mossfun ($4.40).
Underlining First Seal’s quality, Thompson has nominated the filly for two of the richest races during The Championships – the Doncaster Mile and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
“She’s short of her best (for Saturday) and a bit underdone but I’m hoping class will get her over the line,” Shinn said.
Shinn is on the precipice of an autumn carnival he sees as pivotal to his future.
But for the young jockey, the events of the next week could be crucial to his immediate ambitions.
First Seal is among six rides for Shinn at Randwick – all at single-figure odds with two firm favourites in his book.
His mounts also include Epsom Handicap winner He’s Your Man in the Apollo Stakes.
“It’s also probably a little bit short of his best but he’s trialled up well and should run a good race,” Shinn said.
Shinn’s career has had as many troughs as it has had peaks but he is now as dedicated as any jockey in Sydney.
“Hopefully this autumn will set myself up for the rest of my career,” Shinn said.
But Shinn can’t get too far ahead of himself because he will have to front an appeal hearing next week to beat a suspension that threatens his booking for the Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win in the Hobartville Stakes.
