Classy filly Guelph will have the chance to turn-the-tables on Bound For Earth when the pair clash in the 2013 Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Bound For Earth and Guelph will clash again in the Tea Rose Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Guelph was well backed in the lead-up to the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick a fortnight ago but was forced to come from the back of the field and was unable to catch Bound For Earth who held on for the narrowest of wins after jockey Nicholas Hall stopped riding in the final fifty metres.
Both fillies are considered leading chances for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m), which will be run at Caulfield on October 16, and Bound For Earth will likely become the new favorite for the $500,000 race if she can upset Guelph again this weekend.
The presence of Guelph and Bound For Earth appears to have scared away a number of the other leading fillies, with just four other horses included in the acceptances for the Tea Rose Stakes.
Also backing up from the Furious Stakes will be Romantic Moon, who finished fifth in her first appearance at the races since she finished towards the tail of the field in the Group 1 Golden Slipper, and Shahad who finished fifth.
David Vandyke-trained Arabian Gold will step up to Group level for the first time after recording three straight victories at Canterbury and Randwick.
The Dubwai filly is owned by Nick Moraitis, of Might And Power fame, and has been included in the nominations for both the Thousand Guineas and the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
The 2013 Tea Rose Stakes final field is rounded out by Paul Messara-trained Vocalise who will be returning to the races for the first time since the 2013 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Vocalise started her racing career with a win in the Myboycharlie at Vinery Maiden (1100m) in February before finishing fourth in both the Group 3 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m).
Although it is generally considered a key lead-up race to the Thousand Guineas only three fillies have ever completed the Tea Rose Stakes/Thousand Guineas double.
