First Seal returns to form with Tristarc Stakes win
FIRST Seal dispelled any worries that it wouldn’t handle the Melbourne way of going by winning the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes in fine style at Caulfield.
The John Thompson-trained mare hadn’t won since late February, but a string of minor injuries caused the mare to sit on the sidelines and not perform up to the best of its ability. Thompson was disappointed with its fresh up run at Rosehill where it finished fifth, but it showed its true class by downing Tycoon Tara on the line.
“To be honest, I was a little bit shocked first up, I thought she was more forward than she was,” Thompson said.
“She’s a lovely mare, a Group one winner, best horse in the race. She just needed to handle Caulfield.”
Thompson will now target the Myer Classic at Flemington and believes his mare has will be better suited there.
“Looking at her there, she’s having a good blow. Aimed at the Myer, Flemington will suit her better,” Thompson said.
“The days of beating Winx are a long time ago, she’s had a lot of injuries since, but it’s good to see her come back and win. She’s a special horse to me and the stable.”
The win gave Blake Shinn his third success of the day after winning aboard Jennifer Lynn and Good Standing earlier in the day. Shinn continued his association with the five-year-old which was given him plenty of thrills throughout their careers.
“I’ve rode her pretty much her whole career,” Shinn said. “We were left deflated first up, but she had genuine excuses.
“She looked immaculate, presented in great order. We got a lovely trail into it.
“She was back to her best today, showed a lethal turn-of-foot, really attacked the line.”
Shinn was happy to ride winners for both the Victorian and New South Wales contingent at Caulfield on Saturday where his family was present.
“This is where I grew up, my family is here today which is really special. Nice to come here on a Sydney horse and do it and also win on a Victorian horse for Darren Weir, very nice to get the support,” Shinn added.
First Seal paid a value price of $7.90 at Sportsbet with Tycoon Tara battling on well into the wind for second. Pearls was far from disgraced in third after getting a good run in transit.
Forget the run of Shillelagh which was almost put over the rail mid-way in the straight.