The build-up tothe native-bred three-year-old Classic season continues in earnest at Caymanas Park today with the running of the Thornbird Stakes (fillies only) and Prince Consort Stakes (colts and geldings).

Twenty of the most promising three-year-olds will take to the track in the Graded Stakes races to highlight a well-supported 11-race card. Both races will go 1,400 metres for a purse of $1,300,000 each. The Thornbird Stakes has attracted a field of 11 that will go to post at approximately 3:50 pm, while nine will face the starter in Prince Consort Stakes at approximately 4:50 pm. First post is at 12:15 pm. Both races ooze with competitive underpinnings: the Thornbird more so with probably greater depth.

She’s A Maneater, heroine of the two-year-old season last year, has worked really well coming into the Thornbird Stakes, and looks likely the one to beat under these conditions.

But even though allowing weight around, going to the wicket at 57.0kg, the best in the field, including Money Magnet, will have to be at their very best to deny She’s A Maneater from being unsaddled in the winner’s enclosure this time. No doubt being prepared for the longer trip going 1,600 metres for the 1,000 Guineas Classic for fillies she might not be at her effective best.

Notwithstanding, her main adversaries, Marlene My Love, Runallday, Bilingual along with Money Magnet, should be at their very best to prevail ahead of She’s A Maneater.

Bred and owned by Winston Kong, the bay filly by Natural Selection out of the Royal Minister mare Ahwhofah, like her most potent rivals, has looked sharp in her preparation and should lay siege at the watering hole of the fillies opening Classic.

Omar Walker, who has ridden She’s A Maneater to her five career starts with four wins, will again do duty while the Anthony Nunes pair of Bilingual and Runallday will be ridden by Linton Steadman and Robert Halledeen, respectively, with Dane Nelson aboard Marlene My Love and Money Magnet will have Bebeto Harvey in the saddle.

However, it is the Prince Consort Stakes where most attention will be focused as each runner seems to be in with as good a chance as the other, with the Wayne DaCosta-trained Fearless Samurai looking to hold a slim lead to land the event.

A chestnut gelding, owned by Elizabeth DaCosta and bred at Orange Valley Estate by Fearless Vision out of the well bredAlisios mare Sayuri, Fearless Samurai seems to be recovering nicely from his two-year-old setback and now looks to have a promising future as a three-year-old and beyond.

The distance at hand is well within his capability, having won over same as a two-year-old in a spanking time of 1:26.3. That was his last race as a two-year-old. With most of his problems behind him, the chestnut gelding returned to racing for his three-year-old season. He then ran promisingly, going farther and opening his season in good order. Two more good runs under his girth, the last a win going 1,100 metres, should have provided a workmanlike preparation to face today’s acid test going forward.

Leading and champion jockey Walker has piloted Fearless Samurai to three wins in his five career starts to date, and will continue in the irons.

As with everything, there are always obstacles. And with this being Fearless Samurai‘s sternest test to date, he will likely have to surmount hurdles after challenges from improving opponents in the Anthony Nunes-trained Dontae, who looks well suited to any distance from 1,400 metres and beyond.

The Fearless Vision bay colt out of Eighteen Karat by He’stherealthing, bred and owned by Andrew Donalds, did not race at two but has shown good ability as a three-year-old that can make his connections harbour serious thoughts of the colt being one for the season’s Classic campaign.

His winning times are also quite encouraging and he has trained well enough to be at the heart of the closing stages when this is being decided. Robert Halledeen, who had the leg up aboard Dontae on last, will remain on board.

Don Chassis with Shane Ellis, Pleasant Secret with Dane Nelson, and Radical with Jerome Innis, also trained by DaCosta, can make their presence well felt.

Champion two-year-old from last season and the winter book favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, Sotomayor is missing from the Prince Consort. He will, however, compete with Overnight Allowance company over a mile.

Race 1 Laws Of The Code, Princess Brianna, Eddie’s PrincessRace 2 Connor, Rawalpindi Express, Brave HeartRace 3 Mister Bones, Little Big Horn, NothingbutthebestRace 4 Bounce, Major Force, Jon MarshallRace 5 Fear de Breeze, She’s A Legacy, Vice RoyaltyRace 6 Shade Of Beauty, Fastandflashy, FiftyonestormRace 7 Subbie, Deal Maker, General ReportRace 8 She’s A Maneater, Marlene My Love, BilingualRace 9 Ian Links, Sotomayer, Another FuryRace 10 Fearless Samurai, Dontae, RadicalRace 11 Shellian Grey, On The Double, Yes We Will

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Laws Of The Code, Princess Brianna, Eddie’s Princess

Race 2 Connor, Rawalpindi Express, Brave Heart

Race 3 Mister Bones, Little Big Horn, Nothingbutthebest

Race 4 Bounce, Major Force, Jon Marshall

Race 5 Fear de Breeze, She’s A Legacy, Vice Royalty

Race 6 Shade Of Beauty, Fastandflashy, Fiftyonestorm

Race 7 Subbie, Deal Maker, General Report

Race 8 She’s A Maneater, Marlene My Love, Bilingual

Race 9 Ian Links, Sotomayer, Another Fury

Race 10 Fearless Samurai, Dontae, Radical

Race 11 Shellian Grey, On The Double, Yes We Will