First Seal will have her first Melbourne start in the Tristarc Stakes
First Seal has handled her first trip away from home like a seasoned traveller and trainer John Thompson hopes that is a sign she is ready to get back to her winning ways.
The mare has settled in at Flemington ahead of her first Melbourne start in Saturday’s Group Two Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Thompson has put the disappointment of her first-up fifth in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill behind him.
“I think that run has tightened her up and she should go much better on Saturday,” Thompson said.
“She has been in Melbourne since last week and galloped at Flemington on Saturday morning and handled it well.
“She runs in the Tristarc and all going well heads to the Myer Classic two weeks later.”
First Seal has had her share of injuries since she beat Winx to win the 2014 Flight Stakes, the most recent a shattered splint bone earlier this year.
Thompson was convinced she was spot-on for the Golden Pendant but she didn’t finish the race off as he had hoped when fifth in the Group Two race won by Tycoon Tara on September 24.
Thompson’s Randwick neighbour Anthony Cummings is also seeking a Caulfield win on Saturday with Moqueen entered for the Ethereal Stakes (2000m) and the Caulfield Classic, both Group Three races over 2000 metres.
The Ethereal is restricted to fillies while the Classic is open to all three-year-olds.
Moqueen broke her maiden in the Listed Dulcify Quality (1600m) at her eighth start and her trainer is looking forward to getting her up over ground as she head to the VRC Oaks (2500m).
“I think the distance will really suit,” he said.
“The further she goes the better.”
