First Seal
Star filly First Seal has returned to racing a more imposing individual with trainer John Thompson adamant his charge has strengthened up further ahead of a much anticipated spring campaign in Australia. The G1 winner will need to be as she works to make the transition from fillies company to weight-for-age company in the spring against the best performers in the nation.
“First Seal is back in my stable and has spelled very well. I think she has grown a bit. Last preparation when she came in she was a bit fat but she was in a bigger paddock this time and she has returned in very good condition,” Thompson said.
“There are two likely options for her. There is a Sydney campaign or a Melbourne campaign. A Sydney campaign heading towards the Epsom or a Melbourne campaign which is full of G1s.
“Melbourne is a better option if she comes up the way I hope she does, works well and trials well. First Seal hasn’t been to Melbourne but Melbourne has more weight for age races and that should suit her over handicaps. Winks franked First Seal’s form in the early winter as being very good.
“When I look ahead to the spring I look at the likes of More Joyous and Atlantic Jewel and when they made the transition from three to four. Atlantic Jewel started in the same race I have in mind for First Seal. More Joyous started in Sydney and then went to Melbourne and missed the Epsom. I have a leaning towards Melbourne but I want to get her up to speed first and decide where she is best placed.”
First Seal will not be the old flag-bearer for the China Horse Club over the Australian spring carnival with a trio of former French performers all expected to target stakes events. Group winners Auvray and Orbec are yet to compete in Australia but stamped themselves as progressive types in 2014 when winning and G2 and G3 level respectively. Both may shape as prospects for major staying events over the spring including the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup itself should they win entry into one of the world’s most in demand events.
Auvray
“[Auvray and Orbec] are currently in pre-training and working on the water-walker. The reports to date are encouraging. They will both return to my stable on Monday,” Thompson said.
Orbec
“They are two good stayers coming into the spring carnival. Auvray has passed the qualifications for some of the bigger staying races already so that helps a little.”
Jiayuguan, the third of the former French performers, has spelled exceptionally well over the winter providing Thompson with much to consider ahead of the spring. The five-year-old mare was stakes places in France in 2014 and showed glimpsing of promise in her maiden preparation in Sydney over the autumn.
Jiayuguan
“She’s made the most improvement of all of the horses. She had a nice frame when she came to me earlier this year and has really filled out now, Thompson said.
“She has got good condition on her and there are some nice options in the spring. I will just poke along with her going into the spring but there are a range of options. There could be the Newcastle Cup and Metropolitan or there is the Matriarch Stakes in Melbourne as well. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
“Jiayuguan came into the stables like she hadn’t left. When she came into the box she put her head down and was eating and drinking.”
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