Inara is looking for a feature hat-trick
It’s been suggested that our current crop of 3yo fillies is, in depth, one of the best we’ve seen in recent years. Now it’s the turn of Inara to follow up on her fairytale Cape season, where she improved with every start. Following a second to Majmu in the Fillies Guineas, she scored in the Paddock and Majorca Stakes, both times swooping late to mug the likely winners on the post. There’s every chance for her to make it a feature hat-trick here.
Inara certainly won’t have an easy task. Trophy Wife met Siren’s Call three times in row in Gauteng, then had to contend with Majmu last time out. She’s in great form on evidence of those runs, and ought to be right there at finish.
Mike de Kock saddles a pair of runners.
One Fine Day will be ridden by Anthony Delpech
Delpech takes the ride on One Fine Day, who tries the mile for the first time. She had excellent form as a 2yo, and looked luckless on several occasions.
Her 3yo form in Gauteng has been relatively disappointing, but she showed her wellbeing with a win last time out over 1400m at this track. On her best 2yo form she’d be a big contender here.
Stable companion Ataab had a break from December to April, following an unplaced run behind Majmu in the Cape Fillies Guineas. She finished second to Real Princess on her return two weeks ago, over 1400m on the polytrack. The winner beat her by a comfortable length, but was in receipt of 5½ kg. That suggests that Ataab should turn the tables on her opponent, but Real Princess is very lightly raced and her trainer has not been shy to sing her praises. The race will tell just whether Real Princess can is fit to hold court or not.
Brett Crawford – can do little wrong
Brett Crawford can do little wrong these days. His Dynasty filly Alexis finished third to One Fine Day last time out over 1400m, beaten just under 2 lengths, while giving the winner 2 kg. That was a career-best effort for her, after a break since the Cape season, and she seems likely to have further improvement to come. Silver Class split One Fine Day and Alexis in the same race, also in receipt of 2 kg from Alexis. She may come off third best of the three on this occasion.
Sensible Lover took on the best during the Gauteng feature season, showing useful form, but not quite good enough to suggest she has a chance here. The three remaining runners appear to be out of their depth.
In summary, an intriguing race. Inara looks the one to be with, but Trophy Wife and One Fine Day should be taken seriously. Real Princess could be anything, while Alexis and Ataab could also take a hand in the finish.
