The Champions Season’s opening meeting at Greyville tomorrow sees some of the country’s best horses clashing in three much anticipated Gr 2 races.

The current three-year-old fillies crop is possibly the best ever seen in this country, and the KRA Fillies Guineas looks to be the most exciting of the three races. The dual Gr 1-winner Inara will clash with two potentially brilliant milers in One Fine Day and Alexis, while the tough Trophy Wife and the promising Ataab will give an inkling of how strong the Johannesburg three-year-old classic form is.

One Fine Day quickened effortlessly in her last start over 1400m at Greyville and won with a bit in hand. She finished an excellent second against the boys over 1400m in last season’s Gr 1 Golden Horseshoe so clearly enjoys this track. This Trippi filly has struck as one that will get the 1600m. Her exceptional turn of foot will mean she can afford to be dropped out from her tricky draw, especially considering her stablemate Ataab looks capable of ensuring a good gallop.

Alexis switched inward and then outward again before finishing strongly in the 1400m race at Greyville won by One Fine Day. She is now 2kg better off for a 1,75 length beating and, furthermore, she needed that last run. This Dynasty filly has speed but also plenty of gears over shorter so should stay the trip. Her pedigree also suggests she will get the trip. She put in eyecatching work at Summerveld on Tuesday and has clearly come on a lot from that last run.

Inara finished runner up to Majmu in the best form race of the season, the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas, and followed up by winning both the Gr 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m. She was given a deserved break after that but the yard said that this Trippi filly, who apparently shows nothing at home, would be “quite fit” and considering her form that would be enough to put her in with a big shout.

Trophy Wife is ever improving but at this level she might prefer a galloping track like Turffontein. She has had a grueling campaign but is tough.

Silver Class stayed on well to finish just a length behind One Fine Day over 1400m at Greyville last time out but the latter appeared to have a bit in hand. She could earn.

Real Princess is held in good regard and could still be anything.

Cathy Specific is a nice type capable of running on strongly and will have come on from her last start, but is in the deep end here.

Zante has Cathy Specific held on formlines but would prefer further.

Sensible Lover looks held by Trophy Wife and Ataab looks held by Inara. However, Ataab could play a valuable role as pacemaker.

Just Lucky looks outclassed here.

The selection is One Fine Day to beat Alexis with Inara, Real Princess and Trophy Wife next best.

The KRA Guineas is an intriguing affair, but the classy Heartland has gears which makes him suited to Greyville and he should now be coming into his own. However, his draw is a concern and so the surprise choice to beat him is Light The Lights. The best hasn’t been seen of this well regarded sort and from a good draw he could make amends for his last start over 1400m at Greyville when caught wide pulling for his head but still managing to stay on. He has come on from that run and has been working well.

Ultimate Dollar has an impressive stride and although the Daily News 2000 might be more down his alley he is well drawn here so should turn for home handy and he will build up more and more momentum down the straight so is tipped for third.

Anjaal finished a narrow third in a two-year-old Gr 1 over course and distance and looks to have turned the corner again after going off form, so he should be involved from a good draw.

Jayyed narrowly beat Anjaal in the aforementioned Gr 1, but has had to have a breathing operation and this is only his second run since.

Kingvoldt is 3kg better off with Heartland for a 0,75 length beating over 1400m at this course so must have a shout, although he does have a tricky draw.

Forest Fox is a talented sort and the yard now know that he needs to be left alone in the early stages before running on.

The Conglomerate is a progressive sort but might need the run and will prefer the distances of the Daily News and July.

Easy Lover ran on well over 1400m after being slow away last time and is now 2kg better off with Heartland for a 1,75 length beating. He has a wide draw so might have to come from near the back again.

Amazing Strike should be coming into his own but made a breathing noise last time and is widely drawn.

The selection is Light The Lights to beat Heartland with Ultimate Dollar, Anjaal and Kingvoldt next best.

Legislate runs very well fresh and the Gr 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m will tell whether he is the same horse after his L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate failure, subsequent to which he was found to have had a serious lung infection. He should win if that incident caused no long term effect. King Of Pain is the other class horse in the race and a wide draw and having his second run after a rest shouldn’t stop him from going close. Ashton Park, Night Trip and Ze Kaiser are all effective over this trip and are tipped to follow the two big guns home.

–     By David Thiselton

Picture: One Fine Day (Nkosi Hlophe)