Trainer John Thompson is confident his Group One-winning (but injury-prone) mare
FIRST SEAL (by Fastnet Rock ex Episode) can recapture her best form after an impressive win in a Randwick barrier trial yesterday.
The five-year-old mare is slated to make her return in the Golden Pendant (Gr 2, 1400m) at Rosehill on 24 September, her first start since pulling up sore when 12th in the Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on 2 April.
After that run it was discovered First Seal had shattered a hind splint bone, which required surgery to remove it, the latest among several injuries for the valuable 2014 Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) winner.
She sustained the injury after being struck into from behind when second to Holler (Commands) in the Canterbury Stakes (Gr 1, 1300m) on 5 March at Randwick, two starts prior to her Doncaster Mile effort.
Thompson was also forced to abandon First Seal’s 2015 spring campaign due to injury after she had a keratoma removed from a hoof, a rare complaint the experienced Randwick trainer had not encountered previously.
Thompson believes the mare is now ready to make an overdue impact after pleasing in her latest barrier trial and showing no signs of lingering injury concerns.
On the comeback trail after her latest setback,
FIRST SEAL won heat one at Randwick yesterday over 1200 metres by three lengths, defeating stablemate Sir John Hawkwood (Sir Percy), at her second barrier trial this campaign.
Ridden by Blake Shinn, First Seal settled fourth in a field of six before cruising to the lead and finding the line strongly late on the Heavy 8 surface in a time of 1:14.40.
FIRST SEAL has an almighty racetrack record with 15 Starts: 5 wins, 6 seconds and $1,092,060.
FIRST SEAL has won the ATC Flight Stakes Group 1 along with the Group 2 Surround Stakes, Millie Fox Stakes and the Tea Rose Stakes. She also finished runner-up in 3 Group 1 races: ATC Spring Champion Stakes, Coolmore Classic and Vinery Stud Stakes.
Dynamic Syndications earlier this year purchased a lovely filly by the hottest Australian sire WRITTEN TYCOON from the Redoute’s Choice winning mare SPECIAL EPISODE.
SPECIAL EPISODE is a three-quarter-sister to FIRST SEAL.
Both these mares are also three-quarter-sisters to Gr2 Winner BOOK OF KELLS (by Rock Of Gibraltar).
FIRST SEAL, SPECIAL EPISODE and BOOK OF KELLS are all from the mare EPISODE (by Scenic).
EPISODE won 6 races including twice at Group 1 level including the SAJC Australasian Oaks and the SAJC South Australian Oaks along with the Group 3 Auraria Stakes and ran 2nd in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.
Our filly is in the care of leading Victorian trainer MICK PRICE.
5% Shares are $8,225. Contact ADAM WATT on 02 9587 1511 or 0409 464 378 to have a chat how you can have your name in the ownership of this fabulous filly.