Group 1 winner First Seal was back to her best on Caulfield Cup Day in her first Victorian run saluting in the Tristarc Stakes 2016 ahead of a trip to Flemington for the Myer Classic.

First Seal wins the 2016 Tristarc Stakes on Caulfield Cup Day. Picture: Ultimate Racing Photos

A special mare for trainer John Thompson, the Sydney-based daughter of Fastnet Rock is best known for her three-year-old success when beating home Winx in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) back in 2014.

She has had a number of niggling injuries over the past two years, managing just the two subsequent wins between the Flight Stakes and this year’s $200,000 Group 2 Schweppes Tristarc Stakes (1400m).

Jockey Blake Shinn continued his association with the now five-year-old second-up after their were genuine excuses for her last start loss in a funnily-run Group 2 Golden Pendant Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 24.

The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Golden Pendant winner Tycoon Tara was clear favourite in the Tristarc Stakes markets and landed narrowly in front after the jump in the set weights plus penalties clash.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy kept the well-backed and in-form Written Tycoon six-year-old in the lead trying to go all-the-way for her fourth win from five runs this campaign.

She led along the rails with Satya second on her outside and the John O’Shea-trained Golden Pendant third placegetter Pearls travelling just off the speed.

Shinn meanwhile had First Seal racing fifth throughout getting the cover and settled well waiting for the late run.

Tycoon Tara led into the home turn with Denmagic right on the back of the leader, as Pearls peeled out wide to make up the ground heading into the straight.

Pearls was quickly on the scene and shaped-up as a big danger before First Seal loomed coming hard down the outside.

She raced up and snared the lead, First Seal ($7.50) holding to defeat Tycoon Tara ($2.90) with Pearls ($17) finishing off the Tristarc Stakes trifecta in third.

Despite a slight wobble around the tricky Caulfield turn, class prevailed in the Tristarc Stakes result and First Seal was too strong in the end having improved fitness-wise off the Golden Pendant run allowing her to turn the tables on her last start conqueror.

“I’ve rode her pretty much her whole career,” winning hoop Shinn said.

“She come here today a little bit fitter. She looked immaculate and was presented in great order.

“With that wind it was going to unsuit Tycoon Tara…and we got a lovely trail into it.

“She was back to her best today. She showed a lethal turn of foot and really attacked the line.

“She’s very special to him [John Thompson] and to me and it’s a great result.”

Thompson was thrilled to have one of his favourite horses back to full fitness and confirmed plans to head to Flemington Racecourse on VRC Derby Day, October 29, for a shot at the $500,000 Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m).

“To be honest I was a little bit shocked first-up I thought she was a little bit more forward than what she was,” Thompson explained.

“She’s a lovely mare and a Group 1 winner. She was the best horse in the race today and she just needed to handle Caulfield…class prevailed.

“She’s being aimed at the Myer and I’m sure Flemington will suit her better so I’m looking forward to it.

“The days she beat Winx are a long time ago. She’ shad a number of injuries since…but it’s good to see her come back and win and I’m sure she’s got more wins in her.

“She’s a special horse to me and the stable.”

The last mare to complete the Tristarc Stakes – Myer Classic double was Red Tracer (2013) and to back First Seal to do it again in 2016 at the right price visit Ladbrokes.com.au – home of Enhanced Odds (T&Cs apply).

2016 Tristarc Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Caulfield Race 7 – 15/10/2016