The 3-year-old fillies crop has come in for some stick this season but Gluwein (SAF) struck back for her age group as she produced a scintillating late run to snare Love Is In The Air (SAF) and force a deadheat in the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m at Kenilworth on Saturday. Sparkling Gem (SAF) finished third with Goat (SAF) completing the quartet.

Temair led once they settled down from Croc Valley, Giant's Jewel and Sparkling Gem with Lady Windermere, Tuvana Silva and Gluwein next best and Goat among the backmarkers.

Croc Valley took it up as they turned for home with Sparkling Gem quickly on to her and Lady Windermere and Love Is In The Air making some progress.

Sparkling Gem eventually got the better of Croc Valley but was under pressure as Love Is The Air loomed to her outside. Gluwein, meanwhile started to wind her way through the traffic and even as Love Is In The Air got her head in front, her younger rival flashed up on her inside to ensure a share of the spoils.

Love Is The Air has always looked to have a big win in her, having notched up five in a row last season against weaker opposition. She never really threatened off a slow pace when fourth in the Paddock Stakes and she obviously found the proceedings much more to her liking today.

Gluwein ran a cracker at her penultimate start when fourth to the impressive Sidera despite starting from a hopeless draw. She fluffed her lines in a Graduation Plate next time out but showed that run to be all wrong. Interestingly, both winners are by Jet Master and one presumes that this is not a feat that has been seen too often, if ever, especially in a Gr 1 event.

Sparkling Gem was entitled to her position at the top of the betting boards but odds of 11/20 were rather unrealistic given her known vulnerability when racing beyond 1450m. She ran her usual game race but today's effort may have served up a conundrum for her connections: when she races from the front, she can use her huge action to advantage but is bound to tire late. If ridden with more restraint, as has been the case of late, her lack of finishing speed may catch her out. Be that as it may, she remains in the upper bracket of the fillies ranks in this country and her turn may yet come to get back into the winner's box.

Goat ran a creditably well and, as expected, was doing her best work at the finish while Croc Valley also deserves a mention. She raced handy throughout from a wide draw and wasn't beaten too far into fifth.

Love Is In The Air is a 4-y-o filly by Jet Master (SAF) out of Careful Step (SAF) by Jungle Cove (USA). She is owned by Mrs P J and Mr H C Devine, trained by Mike Bass and was bred by Mrs P J Devine

Gluwein (SAF) is a 3-y-o filly by Jet Master (SAF) out of Apres-Ski (SAF) by Our Casey's Boy (USA). She is owned by Messrs L J Westwood, A H Chandler, M F de Kock, V W Koster and R McIlroy, trained by Mike de Kock and was bred by Cheveley Stud.