Myer Classic Signed and Sealed?

In winning the Oct. 15 G2 Tristarc S., First Seal (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) signaled a return to the form that saw her best Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G1 Flight S. two years ago, and the now 5-year-old mare will test that theory when returning to Group 1 company in Saturday's Myer Classic at Flemington. Consistent throughout the remainder of her 3-year-old campaign, First Seal spent almost a year on the sidelines due to injury thereafter. She returned a winner in last term's G2 Millie Fox S. and was second in the G1 Canterbury S., but failed to shine when fourth in the G1 George Ryder S. and 12th of 15 in the G1 Doncaster Mile. Fifth first-up this season in the G2 Golden Pendant S. Sept. 24, First Seal looked much more like herself in the Tristarc, and trainer John Thompson told Racenet.com.au, “She's a special mare to us and it means a lot to see her getting back to something like her best after the problems she's endured. If she is at her best she'll be winning races like Saturday.”

“Is she back to her best? That's still debatable but I'm confident she's getting back there,” Thompson added. “She seems sound and happy. I've been very happy with her all preparation.”

Don't Doubt Mamma (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) is unlikely to let First Seal off easy. The 4-year-old won the G2 Let's Elope S. over this course Sept. 10 and Moonee Valley's G2 Stocks S. Sept. 30, and she returns to the course where she has won three times.

Trainer Ron Quinton was dealt a serious blow when his Group 1-winning filly Peeping (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus})–who likely would have been set for this race–died of colic in May, but Dixie Blossoms (Aus) (Street Sense) stepped up to potentially fill that void when winning Randwick's G3 Angst S. in eye-catching fashion last time Oct. 8.

“She arrived in Melbourne [Wednesday] and the reports are good,” Quinton told Racenet. “She's a lovely and quiet mare so I was confident she'd travel well and that appears to be the case.”

“The draw [four] is perfect,” he added. “She's got the Sydney mares form which is holding up. It's all looking pretty good at the moment. I think she'll run well.”