Sealing Another Stakes Success

Precocious three-year-old filly First Seal (Fastnet Rock) returned to the winners circle with an impressive victory in the Group 2 A$175,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

First Seal triumphant in the Group 2 Surround Stakes.

Recording four wins and three seconds from eight starts, this was First Seal’s third stakes victory for trainer John Thompson. Her highest accomplishment to date is her triumph in the Group 1 Flight Stakes at 1600m which was followed by a second in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at 2000m.

“It was an outstanding win,” said John Thompson. “She was a dominant filly and she had them beat a long way from home.

“She was underdone last start, but I thought she would probably win. She found a bit of trouble and the track didn’t help her that day.

“Today was a different story. Just give her a clear running and she will do the rest.”

Starting from barrier 7 with Blake Shinn riding, First Seal settled behind mid-field in the early stages. Covering a lot of ground, she came out wide on the turn for home for a clear run ahead.

First Seal let down in the centre of the track to power to the front and win by 2.8 lengths. Supara (Domesday) was unable to catch the Fastnet Rock filly and settled for second place and Slightly Sweet (Charge Forward) finished in third.

“She [First Seal] will race again in two weeks in the Coolmore Classic after which we will decide if she goes to the Vinery or the Doncaster,” noted Thompson.

The three-year-old filly has increased her winnings to A$625,000 for owners China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Think Big Stud, Westcode Pty Ltd, Mr JSC Chua and Raffles Thoroughbred Racing.

Bart Cummings purchased First Seal for $700,000 at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale from Curraghmore Stud.

Bred by Cambridge-based Raffles Dancers (NZ) Pty Ltd, First Seal is out of dual Group 1 Oaks winner Episode (Scenic), the dam of Group 2 Tulloch Stakes winner Book of Kells (Rock of Gibraltar) and stakes placegetter Best Command (Court Command).