Trainer John Thompson has confirmed that First Seal will contest the 2015 Warwick Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday as long as the track is dry.
First Seal is likely to start her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Warwick Stakes this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
First Seal has been included in the nominations for both the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) and the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) in Sydney on Saturday, but Thompson told Racing Ahead that a trip to Melbourne for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29 could be on the agenda for the Fastnet Rock mare if she does not run in Sydney this weekend.
“She will run in the Warwick Stakes as long as the track is dry,” Thompson said.
“If not she will probably head off to Melbourne, but at this stage it looks pretty set in stone that she will run in Sydney.
“There are showers in the second half of the week, but it looks pretty good at the moment.
“If it stays the way that it is and we only get a light shower, the track will be perfect on Saturday.
“If she stays in Sydney she will head towards the Epsom on the weight-for-age path, but if it turns out to be wet we will head to Melbourne and race through races like the Sir Rupert Clarke and the Toorak or maybe even the Memsie if it is wet here.”
While Thompson is still not positive where First Seal will start her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign, he is certain that the four-year-old is in outstanding condition ahead of her return to racing.
First Seal impressed onlookers with her performances in two barrier trials at Royal Randwick on July 31 and August 10 and Thompson believes that the Flight Stakes winner will return to the races as a more seasoned horse.
“She has had two trials and it has just brought her along nicely to head off to the races now,” Thompson said.
“She will improve with the run, but she is in great shape and she is ready to go.
“She is just that little bit more mature and she has had a couple of decent racing preps now that make them more seasoned.
“She is just a quality horse and that takes you a long way.”
19 horses have been included in the 2015 Warwick Stakes nominations and First Seal could take on the likes of Pornichet, Royal Descent, Kermadec, Amanpour, Beaten Up, Foreteller, Moriarty, Burbero, Grand Marshal, Hawkspur, Preferment, Complacent and Gust Of Wind in the Group 2 event this weekend.
