There was a heart-stopping finish to the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic over 1800m at Turffontein today as favourite Here To Win (BRZ) and outsider Spiced Gold (SAF) (Image: Trainer Stuart Pettigrew)  crossed the line as one with the judges unable to separate them. Alderry (SAF) was narrowly beaten into third ahead of Generous Anna (AUS).

The joint-winners were both held up in the second half of the field early on as Quality Alone went out to make the running ahead of Fisani and Alderry. Salita was next best ahead of Sweetie Pie and Jet Trail with Generous Anna sitting in midfield.

Quality Alone brought them in for home with Fisani and Alderry quickly moving in to challenge and Jet Trail also looking a genuine contender. Generous Anna was another one seen to be making up ground.

Alderry skipped clear halfway down the straight and it soon became clear that she had the measure of her immediate pursuers as Fisani weakened and Generous Anna and Jet Trail, try as they might, simply could not summon up the required kick to get on terms. The real threat was emerging wider out as Here To Win quickened up smartly and collared Alderry. It looked like the expected 1-2 finish from the Mike de Kock runners but Spice Gold had threaded her way up the inside and she appeared on the scene to ensure a breathtaking finale, tagging Here To Win on the line..

Both Here To Win and Alderry had run big races from poor draws when placed in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and they were confidently expected to play a role in the finish here, topping the betting boards at the off. Spiced Gold, on the other hand, went off at 40/1 but a close look at her form line shows that she has been running consistently well against some of the best of her generation and had been only been touched off into fifth by Here To Win in the Fillies Guineas. She had to come from draw 16 as well, so this was by no means a fluke.

The first three home are smart fillies and we should be hearing more from them as the season progresses. Generous Anna, another poorly-drawn runner, also deserves a mention for another honest effort while Jet Trail wasn't beaten far into fifth. They will both get easier opportunities than this to get into the winner's box.

Here To Win (BRZ) is a 3-y-o filly by Roi Normand (USA) out of Ascot Belle (BRZ) by Falcon Jet (BRZ). She is owned by Messrs B E Lobben and M Myhre, trained by Mike de Kock and was bred by Haras Santa Ana Do Rio Grande

Spiced Gold (SAF) is a 3-y-o filly by Kahal (GB) out of Little Legend (SAF) by Complete Warrior (USA). She is owned by Messrs Peet Diedericks and M S Peixoto, trained by Stuart Pettigrew and was bred by Greenhill Farm.