Generations clash in Bidvest Majorca Stakes

The Grade 1 Bidvest Majorca Stakes is one of the highlights of Sun Met day for racing purists, as Dennis Drier’s Lady In Black goes toe-to-toe with a fellow daughter of Dynasty in Brett Crawford’s undefeated three-year-old Front And Centre.

Preference would be for the older filly. She has consistently finished close to Equus Horse-Of-The- Year Oh Susanna at this elite level.

The most recent occasion was in the Cartier Paddock Stakes three weeks ago, where she chased gallantly but in vain to go down by a slightly flattering 0.5 lengths.

That was a repeat of last year’s Exacta, and she was also close be-hind her in the Cape Fillies Guineas and Woolavington last season, before fi nally defeating her nemesis in a Pinnacle Stakes race prior to the Paddock Stakes.

Now Oh Susanna has a realistic chance of winning the Sun Met an hour later, which means it’s going to take a very special filly to lower the colours of Drier’s star daughter of Dynasty.

Which of course Front And Centre undoubtedly is.

She is yet to face a serious challenge in her four starts, and took the step up to Grade 1 class effortlessly when a very comfortable winner of the Fillies Guineas.

Getting the be er of Lady In Black will be far tougher, but this clash of the generations promises to be a titanic struggle.

These two should fill the first two positions, but it doesn’t quite end there. Last year’s winner Snowdance hasn’t quite fulfilled her huge early promise, but retains enough class to demand respect.

Strangely for a filly who won two Grade 1 titles over 1600m halfway through her three-year-old career she hasn’t been finding much late over the trip in recent starts.

Clouds Unfold didn’t produce her usual finishing burst in the WSB Fillies Guineas won by Front And Centre, but did have excuses.

The jury is still out on whether she gets 1600m, but she is another who oozes class, and could surprise if getting the trip.

The rest have a couple of lengths and more to find, with Fresnaye, Miyabi Gold and Love To Boogie perhaps being the pick of them.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.