First Seal Stars in Tristarc Stakes

Karaka graduate First Seal (Fastnet Rock) shone brightly on one of Australia’s biggest racedays when she won the A$200,000 Group 2 Schweppes Tristarc Stakes (1400m) on Caulfield Cup day in Melbourne on Saturday.

A former star three-year-old who beat the champion Winx (Street Cry) in the Group 1 Flight Stakes in October 2014, First Seal has endured countless trials and tribulations in the two years since. But on Saturday she bounced back in style.

After breaking sharply from the starting gate, rider Blake Shinn restrained First Seal and took her back into fifth place. She travelled smoothly throughout the race, lengthening stride powerfully in the straight to reel in the leaders. In the last few strides she got the better of the favourite Tycoon Tara (Written Tycoon) and scored by a neck.

“She’s a great mare that’s had plenty of injury issues since beating Winx as a filly,” proud trainer John Thompson said.

A daughter of the Group 1-winning mare Episode (Scenic), First Seal was offered by Curraghmore Stud at the 2013 Premier Sale. She was secured by the late, great Bart Cummings for $700,000.

Raced by the China Horse Club, First Seal has had 17 starts for six wins, six placings and A$1.22 million in prize-money. The Tristarc was her fifth black-type success.