Trainer John Thompson says an attempt to ride a perfect race on an imperfect track contributed to the first-up defeat of First Seal.

And he is adamant the result won't be repeated in the Group Two Surround Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

"If they were ever going to beat her it was going to be that run," Thompson said.

First Seal finished second to the Gai Waterhouse-trained Adrift in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick on a day when the inside section of the track was rated inferior.

Determined to steer First Seal towards the best going, Blake Shinn forfeited his position to ease back and get the filly to the outside.

She finished strongly but couldn't overhaul Adrift.

"I wasn't happy with the ride, I'll put my hand up and say that," Thompson said.

"It was just disappointing that the track was like it was.

"I couldn't be too harsh on Blake, he thought the track was that bad on the inside he was just desperate to get away from it and he thought he couldn't win if he didn't try to."

Shinn will again team with First Seal in the Surround and Thompson says a distance rise to 1400m will benefit his filly.

There were 12 acceptances for the race on Wednesday, including Adrift and Light Fingers third placegetter Slightly Sweet for Jason Coyle.

First Seal tuned up for the Surround with a strong gallop on Tuesday morning and Thompson said the three-year-old's improvement since her first-up run hasn't just been physical.

"That's tightened her up a bit, she looks great. You can just tell that run has switched her on," he said.