A decision on whether brilliant Flight Stakes winner First Seal attempts to become the first filly to win the Spring Champion Stakes will be made as late as possible.
Trainer John Thompson said First Seal’s constitution had got her through Saturday’s Group One race against her own sex in fine order but whether she backs up in seven days is still a question.
Since the race moved from the autumn to the spring, few fillies have contested the Group One Spring Champion (2000m) with Soprana second in 2002 and Constant Flight third in 1993.
If First Seal is to have another race this preparation, the Spring Champion is the only option her trainer and owners will consider.
“There was no talk of taking her to Melbourne for the Thousand Guineas,” Thompson said.
“She hasn’t been there before and the trip would be too much at this stage of her career.
“I think she will be a 2000 metre horse and the Spring Champion is there if we decide to go there.
“She has come through the Flight Stakes well. She won’t do any hard work this week.
“We will probably accept with her and make the decision late in the week.
“She will have a three-quarter pace work-out on Thursday and that will probably tell us what to do.”
Jason Collett has been booked to ride First Seal if she takes her place with her Flight Stakes winning jockey Blake Shinn committed to the favourite Sweynesse and also unable to make the filly’s weight.
The unbeaten Godolphin colt Sweynesse took his record to four wins with his victory in the Gloaming Stakes after which he firmed to $1.90 for the Spring Champion.
First Seal, who finished second to Sweynesse in a 1400m race on a heavy Rosehill track on August 30, is at $2.80 with Panzer Division at $4.60.
The winner of the Group Three Ming Dynasty, the Paul Messara-trained Panzer Division took on the older horses to finish fifth in the George Main Stakes (1600m) at weight-for-age.
“He took a couple of days to get over that run but he is fine now,” Messara said.
