Trainer John Thompson admits that First Seal will not be at peak fitness for the 2015 Light Fingers Stakes, but believes that the talented filly is still forward enough to perform strongly in the Group 2 event at Royal Randwick this weekend.

First Seal will start her autumn campaign in the 2015 Light Fingers Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart

First Seal was sent to the spelling paddock after she finished second behind Hampton Court in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 11 and according to Thompson put on a great deal of condition during her stint away from her stable.

The Fastnet Rock filly performed strongly in a barrier trial over 838 metres at Royal Randwick on February 2 and Thompson told Racing Ahead that his star filly will be more than competitive in the 2015 Light Fingers Stakes and will be hitting the ling strongly in the final stages of the race.

“She is a lovely filly and it is her first run back on Saturday,” Thompson said.

“She has had one barrier trial, which tidied her up very nicely and she is probably going in at about 90 percent.

“She is forward enough to run well, but she is not fully wound up.

“I guess if the other fillies are going to beat her it is probably over 1200 metres and I have a lot of respect for a horse like Mossfun, but she is coming back from a long lay-off and you don’t really know.

“She should get a good run from that barrier and she will be the one hitting the line strong.

“She has definitely filling out that frame and she is probably 20 or 30 kilos heavier.

“She is starting to trim down now the fitter that she is getting, but she is a fine specimen and you don’t get a better type than her especially for a filly.

“She is big, she is strong and she ticks all the boxes.”

First Seal was included in the nominations for the majority of the races that will be held during The Championships and Thompson is keeping his options open with the three-year-old.

The filly will have her next race start in the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 and will return to Group 1 level in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14 before she either drops back to fillies company for the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on March 28 or takes on some of the best horses in Australia in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick a week later.

First Seal is currently available at 2015 Light Fingers Stakes odds of $3.20 with Ladbrokes Australia and is a narrow favourite from Mossfun ($4.20), Winx ($6) and Memorial ($8.50).