Racing: Sea Siren makes history at Doomben

Above Average has emerged as the best jumps prospect in more than a decade. Photo / Thinkstock

Star Sydney 3-year-old Sea Siren yesterday became the first filly to win the group one Doomben 10,000, which dates back to 1933, but her chance of making further history rests with handicappers.

Sea Siren ($4.20) showed her grit and determination to overhaul local sprinter Buffering ($4.80) for a short-neck win in Saturday's 1350m feature.

Temple Of Boom ($21) finished third, two lengths away, just holding off stablemate Spirit Of Boom ($41).

Trainer John O'Shea is adamant Sea Siren is not a certain starter in the group one Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9 as she already has 52.5kg and is eligible for a penalty for her Doomben 10,000 win.

"I'll give the Stradbroke some consideration but for mine she's already got enough weight," O'Shea told the Herald Sun. "She has to produce a weight-carrying record as it stands now in the Stradbroke."

O'Shea won the 2003 Stradbroke with Private Steer.

"Private Steer was a certainty beaten in the 10,000 and went on to win the Straddie," he said.

"This filly is starting to speak for herself and is building a very imposing record. It's been a wonderful achievement from a wonderful filly.

"I didn't think she would be in front when they jumped but it was a very good ride from Jim Cassidy."

O'Shea admitted he was surprised with Buffering's lion-hearted performance after the Queenslander hit the front in the straight.

"It was a super performance from Buffering who has been punching around with the likes of Black Caviar and Hay List," he said.

O'Shea is likely to give Sea Siren a short spring campaign in Melbourne if he decides not to contest the Stradbroke before a trip overseas for the group one Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in December.

The trainer has the backing of Cassidy if he decides not to back Sea Siren up in the Stradbroke.

"She's a 3-year-old filly still on the way up," Cassidy said. "She might be better to have a break and get some sunshine on her back and look at the big spring races."

Cassidy said Sea Siren had more improvement to come if the Stradbroke was given the green light.

"She was only 85 per cent fit when she won the BTC Cup and she wasn't at her top for this," he said.

"She had a blow after the race. I had to do everything right on her today no matter how good she is.

"Buffering was super and he didn't look like stopping."

The Doomben 10,000 brought up group one win 94 for Cassidy, who was recently inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

Trainer Rob Heathcote will push on to the Stradbroke with Buffering, whose Doomben 10,000 campaign was disrupted by a stone bruise that forced him out of the group one BTC (1200m) a fortnight ago.

"It was a super run and Hugh [Bowman] said he felt fantastic," Heathcote said.

"I'm not going to make excuses because of his foot problem and he was running on empty in the end."