First Seal to make Melbourne debut

Group One winner First Seal will put her Myer Classic credentials on show when she makes her Melbourne debut in the Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield.

The Group One Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington is the aim for First Seal who trainer John Thompson says will strip fitter on Saturday for her first-up fifth in the Golden Pendant in Sydney.

First Seal is at $5 for Saturday’s Group Two Tristarc (1400m) behind Tycoon Tara who won the Golden Pendant ($3.80) and Danish Twist ($4.20).

Thompson took First Seal to Caulfield on Tuesday morning for a 1200m-gallop in company with stablemate Blowing Kisses to familiarise her with the circuit.

“This will be her first run the Melbourne way but she seems to get getting on the Melbourne leg,” Thompson said.

“She worked well (on Tuesday morning). She’s happy, sound and fitter for the run.

“She seems to handle (the anti-clockwise direction), but you never know until you race. I’m not a huge fan of going to Caulfield for the first time this way because it’s a tricky track, up and down and tight corners.”

He was hoping the mare could draw well and follow the fence but First Seal has come up with barrier eight in the field of 13.

He described her first-up run as OK.

“It was a funny run race,” he said.

“They went steady mid-race and sprinted up in 33 (seconds for the last 600m) and it was just mathematically nearly impossible for her to pick them up

“She sort of ranged up to pick them up, but then the fitness came into it.”

Blake Shinn retains the ride on the classy mare who has won five of her 16 starts including the 2014 Group One Flight Stakes over Winx.