Group 1 Sealed by Karaka Filly

Karaka Premier Sale graduate First Seal (Fastnet Rock) stamped herself as the leading three-year-old filly in Australia with a dominant win in the Group 1 A$400,000 Coolmore Flight Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Karaka Premier Sale graduate First Seal successful in the Group 1 Coolmore Flight Stakes.

Bred by Cambridge’s Raffles Farm, First Seal was a surprise winner of the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes last start but punters took notice of that win and installed the John Thompson trained filly as race-favourite.

The race was never in doubt for First Seal who put her rivals away with an explosive turn of foot and cruised to victory by three lengths for rider Blake Shinn. Second favourite Winx (Street Cry) was the runner-up with kiwi-bred filly Thinking of You (NZ) (Thorn Park) running into third placing.

“It was a very good win and it was also very pleasing,” commented Thompson. “When she had her first race Nash (Rawiller) said ‘wherever you go next she will win’ but we spelled her because we wanted to save her for the spring.

“We wanted to give her two easy races then pick up the Tea Rose and Flight Stakes and she has achieved that early goal. It obviously helped a lot that we planned ahead but we have a horse that is well above average that can do it.

“I am 50/50 where she will go next. She may just head to a spell or go to the Spring Champion Stakes this weekend then spell. I have ruled out a Melbourne campaign, I would rather put her out one run too early than one run too late and there are some very good races in the autumn for her.

“I think the further she goes the better she will be. She has great mannerisms, she is so relaxed and has a massive stride so staying is not going to be an issue. She is out of a Scenic mare that won two Oaks’.”

Saturday’s win was First Seal’s third win from only five starts and has accumulated A$403,360. Carrying the colours of China Horse Club, First Seal is owned by China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Think Big Stud, Westcode Pty Ltd, Mr J S C Chua & Raffles Thoroughbred Racing.

First Seal is the daughter of dual Group 1 winning three-year-old Episode (Scenic) who is also the dam of Group 2 winner Book of Kells (Rock of Gibraltar) and stakes placegetter Best Command (Court Command).

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

Karaka enjoyed a stellar weekend with First Seal (Fastnet Rock) joined by Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel), Costume (NZ) (Savabeel) & War Affair (NZ) O’Reilly) as Group 1 winners along with Famous Seamus (NZ) (Elusive City), Forever Loved (NZ) (High Chaparral) & Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj) all claiming Group 2 successes.