NINE runners have accepted the challenge to take on South African Horse Of The Year, Free My Heart, in the R500 000, Grade 1 Queen's Plate over 1 600 metres at Kenilworth Racecourse on December 28.

Dean Kannemeyer's seven-year-old son of Jallad, rated at least 2kg better than his opponents, will most likely be the hot favourite to win the weight-for-age race which heads the programme on the day where two other feature events are included. Free My Heart was second in this race last year and won it from Glamour Boy the year before.

The other features are the R250 000, Grade 1 Paddock Stakes over 1 800 metres and the R100 000, Grade 3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2 500 metres.

The final fields for the Queen's Plate and the Paddock Stakes were announced this week with 10 runners standing their ground for the Queen's Plate and a full 16 accepting to run in the Paddock Stakes.

Free My Heart, under the conditions of the race, is undoubtedly the horse to beat but Mike Bass has mounted a strong challenge with four runners including former J&B Met runner, Bunter Barlow, Green Point Stakes runner-up, African Lion, Ultrasound and Eli's Game.

Geoff Woodruff's Spring Trial winner, Raining Roses, is supported in the stable by the Argentinean-bred four-year-old, Speed Racer, who returns after a 20-month break, and Eric Sands will saddle star three-year-old of his year, Celtic Grove.

Roman Charger is the back up for Free My Heart and Justin Snaith runs the former Gauteng runner, Glamour Boy.

The Paddock Stakes has drawn a superb field, which holds the promise of a thrilling race.

The best fillies in the country are engaged including Kournikova, who finished fourth in the Summer Cup, Cape Times Fillies Guineas first, second and third - Perfect Promise, Tara's Touch and Secret Heart - and the Yellowwood winner, Escoleta Fitz, who won this race last year.

Geoff Woodruff has Spring Challenge winner, Pacific Blue and Roland Song Stakes winner, Special Parade and Justin Snaith saddles Victress Stakes winner On Parade and the three-year-old Resolution Bay.

Mike Bass has three runners with Bernard Fayd'Herbe on last year's runner-up, Sport's Chestnut, while Jeff Lloyd rides stable companion, Crimson Palace, who has won three of her four starts. The third member of the Bass team is Fading Light, who was bred and is owned by Gauteng trainer, Ormond Ferraris.