Bacarella trying for Tea Rose turnaround

While gallant in defeat after leading during the Furious Stakes, cover could be the key to Bacarella’s bid to turn the tables on Foxplay in the Tea Rose Stakes.

The Gary Moore-trained Bacarella took up the running at her last start in the Group Two Furious Stakes at Randwick but was no match for the Chris Waller-trained Foxplay, who pulled away to win by 1-3/4 lengths.

It was the second time in two starts a Waller-trained filly has had Bacarella’s measure after she fell victim to the powerful finish of Omei Sword who romped in to win the Silver Shadow by 3-1/4 lengths.

Omei Sword’s second behind Astern in the Golden Rose boosts Bacarella’s claims for the Group Two Tea Rose (1400m) at Randwick, but she will need to improve to upstage Foxplay.

“She deserves this on Saturday,” Moore said.

“She’s got a lot more muscle on her since the Furious and she’s gone very well in her work on Tuesday morning.”

Moore said Bacarella’s prominent role in the Furious was unintentional.

“If you look back on her trials as a two-year-old, a few times she missed the start and she was held up and she showed a good change of gear,” Moore said.

“She could easily lead but I’d like to see her ridden off the speed if that presents itself.”

While the Group One Flight Stakes over 1600m at Randwick on October 1 is the final race of the Princess Series, Moore says Saturday’s race will tell him more about Bacarella’s distance range.

“I think what we’ve got to see is if she gets a good ride by Tim Clark on Saturday to see if she can go further,” Moore said.

And a start in the Flight would also mean another encounter with Omei Sword.

“Omei Sword is a very good filly and she’s the likely favourite for the Flight Stakes,” Moore said.

“She beat me very easily so it would be pretty hard to take her on again.”

Foxplay is the $2.80 favourite for the Tea Rose while Bacarella is on the third line of betting at $6.

Moore’s runner in the Listed Heritage Stakes will be Mount Panorama who ran third behind Astern in the Group Two Silver Slipper Stakes in February.

He said Mount Panorama’s last in the San Domenico Stakes first-up showed him he should have been fitter before he kicked off his campaign.

“He looks in great shape now,” Moore said.

“He worked very well on Tuesday morning on the course proper.”