August 4, 2002	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 24,1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

KARACHI, Aug 3: A moderate card of six races has been drawn for the Karachi Summer meeting which will be held Sunday at the local turf. The first race will begin at 2 p.m.

The card gives an impression that the fields are lop-sided and if the stewards keep a vigil and do not allow the Jack Pot story of last Sunday to be repeated, form horses should head the field in most of the events.

There are two outstanding entries in Royal Fantasy in the fifth race and Sweet Touch in the concluding event of day who should hack the field making their rivals to bite the dust.

In the last two weeks, the followers of form were simply cheated when Sarazen on July 27 and Jack Pot last week were pulled by their riders Saif Mohammad and Shahzad respectively in a dare devil manner. It left a bad taste and surprisingly both went scot free. These acts were committed in broad day light. The Chairman of the Jockey Club of Pakistan, the controlling body of racing in Pakistan, Dr Shafqat Ali Khan too was a witness and he too failed to take notice of the event.

If steps are not taken to check such bunglings racing in Karachi may come to a stop as the club administration is stretching the patience of the patrons of the turf too far. The Sindh Government, the licence issuing authority for holding races in the metropolis should not be a silent spectator as any repetition of the Rawalpindi incident in which four persons were killed will not be in their interest.

Reverting to the day’s other events, in the opener Simple Prayer, Superb Star and Zabyan draw the attention most. The former is cut above class and should for mere asking unless the connections prefer stable mate Jamaima who is knocking at the doors. Superb Star has come down quite low therefore is quite capable of upsetting my calculations.

In the second race, Flying Bird, Mark and Welcome Shahtab are the form horses. Welcome Shahtab’s rider in her last outing was fined Rs 25,000/- and suspended for six months. If the action of the stewards was right she should just romp home leaving the top weight Flying Bird and Mark to fight for less remunerative berths. Hawaitha, who is reported to be tracking very well may provide the element of surprise.

Knight Fighter, Mahasagar, Lover’s Line, draw the attention most in the third race. The former’s running of late has been dubious. If supported by the stable, he should have the better of Mahasagar who is a fast customer. Lover’s Line should not run out of frame.

In the fourth race, the stable connections of Saligna have been playing hide and seek. Only last week, the stewards announced change of rider. M. Yousuf was sent to the starting gate which was announced on the public address system. But when the horses returned to the unsaddling enclosure it was noticed that the filly was ridden by Abdul Raheem who was declared in the morning. How the stewards changed their mind is anybody’s guess. It was their moral duty to announce the change which was not done.

It only showed connivance of the people sitting in the glass house and something has been cooking which may come out this afternoon.

The following are the runners and our selections.

AUGUST PLATE DIV G II — ABT 5F:

Zabyan 9-0, Superb Star 8-13, Small Wonder 8-12, Sharoz-e-Sehar 8-11, Jamaima 8-10, Lightin Arrow 8-8, Classic Beauty 8-8, Guriya Phool 8-6, Simple Prayer 8-5, Jubiliant Action 8-2, Millenium Era 7-12.

Win: Simple Prayer

Place: Superb Star

AUGUST PLATE DIV G I — ABT 5F:

Flying Bird 9-4, Mark 9-1, Shahdad Star 9-0, Hawaitha 8-13, Ventures Arrow 8-12, Rich Valiant 8-10, Dil Faraib 8-8, Sunday Picnic 8-7, Bach Fly 8-5, Kali Nagan 8-5, Lord of Lords 8-5, Sachin 8-2, Show Stopper 8-0, Royal Romance 8-0, Pearl 8-0, Welcome Shahtab 7-13, Jadeem 7-13, Miss Ruby 7-11.

Win: Welcome Shahtab

Place: Flying Bird

AUGUST PLATE DIV VII GROUP II — ABT 5F

Shah Rose 9-0, Knight Fighter 8-12, Mahasagar 8-7, Quick Mover 8-5, Neelam Taab 8-4, Reincarnated 8-4, Order of The Day 8-4, Lover’s Line 8-3, Tennyson 8-2, I Am So Happy 8-2, Sajan Black 8-2, Dushtiyani 8-1, Millenium Magic 8-1.

Win: Knight Fighter

Place: Mahasagar

AUGUST PLATE DIV VI GROUP I — ABT 5F

Racing Leader 9-2, Guarantee 8-13, Brave Shah 8-11, Dauntless 8-11, Mickey Micado II 8-11, Raqeeb-e-Azam 8-11, Sardar 8-11, Sulman Love 8-11, Son Of None 8-10, Lover’s Life 8-10, Navahoo Princess 8-8, Saligna 8-8

Win: Saligna

Place: Guarantee

AUGUST PLATE DIV VI — ABT 5F

Donatello 9-1, Heed My Speed 9-0, Slim Fit 8-12, Show Time 8-11, Miss World 8-10, Royal Fantasy 8-8, Giselle 8-1, National Lining 8-1, Golden News 7-11.

Win: Royal Fantasy

Place: Show Time August Plate — abt 6F

Alcapone 10-0, Leo 9-8, Come On Darling 9-5, Monstro 9-0, Dur-e-Yemen 8-8, Sweet Touch 7-12.

Win: Sweet Touch

Place: Dur-e-Yemen.

DAY’S BEST: Royal Fantasy

GOOD DOUBLE: Welcome Shahtab to Sweet Touch