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| August 14, 2002 | Wednesday | Jamadi-us-Saani 4, 1423 |
Sweet Touch well-backed for day’s main event
KARACHI, Aug 13: The Independence Cup to be run over six furlongs will be star attraction at the Karachi races which will be held Wednesday to celebrate the 55th Independence Day. The first race will begin at 2 pm.
Of the 12 acceptors in the main event Bold Commander, Dur-e-Yemen, Lover’s Lady, My Freedom, Sweet Touch and Sabza Choice are the pick. Barring Sweet Touch and Sabza Choice, the other contenders are in the pink of condition and have recent form to be in contention.
Sweet Touch, a highly reputed three-year-old, filly is cut above class on her previous runs but has had no run of late. She was denied an outing on August 4, when her race was declared null and void by the Stewards for lack of competition, a totally hollow excuse.
On her morning track work, she is, however, fancied to have the better of My Freedom and Lover’s Lady who are in fine trim.
The only thing which goes against Sweet Touch is lack of run which does play an important role and is different from the track work. Competitive run only gives finishing touches in the preparation of any horse for important events.
The day’s racing should be quite interesting and if the chance horses are supported by their connections, close finishes should be order of the day.
In the opener, Raysham, Prism Of Life, Sone Pari, Black Magic and Genuine Risk are the form horses. Of the lot Genuine Risk had run a very close second behind Winning Streak. On that run she should take a lot of beating.
In the second race, Fizza, Guriya Phool, Neeli Nighain and Jamaima are in the run for top honours. Fiza was unlucky loser last time when she was not handled by her rider well. On that run she should make amends today.
Welcome Shahtab was a victim of injudicious riding last week when his rider, Nasim Ahmed tried run away tactics and never gave his charge a breather. With sensible handling he should win hands down. Mark and Dushtiyani should fight for lower berths.
In the fourth race Guarantee, Champion Lady, Aziz Love and Neelam Taab should provide a keen battle in the home stretch. Guarantee who has some impressive runs behind Saligna and Navahoo Princess and earlier with Royal Fantasy should humble the present lot.
In the sixth race, Strategic, Trillionaires, The Cleopatra, Royal Fantasy and Giselle are the pick of the lot.
The way Royal Fantasy won in her last two starts should have no difficulty in making it three in a row.
But the real fight will be for less remunerative berths where Strategic and Giselle should test each others strength. Strategic, in fact could have posed some problem or provide element of contest but since the colt is appearing after a long break may find it hard to put up any resistance to my fancy.
In the last race Saligna and Navahoo Princess should renew their fortnight old rivalry. On that they were on level terms and Saligna had won by 2+ lengths.
Navahoo Princess ran a very good race last Thursday which would encourage his connections to have a rematch with Saligna. But I would still fancy Saligna as she too is bound to improve.
The following are the runners and our selections:
INDEPENDENCE PLATE DIV G III ABT 5F
Sada-e-Lajpal 9-2, Royal Honest 9-2, Jubilant Action 9-2, Mera Kiya Kasoor 9-0, Raysham 8-12, Noor-un-Nisa 8-11, Prism Of Life 8-10, Prince Naeem 8-8, Black Magic 8-7, Shining Steel 8-7, Sone Pari 8-6, Major Dandy 8-5, Royal Promise 8-5, Genuine Risk 8-3, Sher Khan 8-0, Lawrence Of Arabia 7-13.
Win: Genuine Risk
Place: Black Magic
INDEPENDENCE PLATE DIV G II ABT 5F
Great Bakht 9-2, Lord Of Lords 9-0, Pearl 9-0, Jadeem 8-13, Sachin 8-12, Fizza 8-11, Charismatic Eyes 8-10, Simple Prayer 8-9, Guriya Phool 8-6, Miss Ruby 8-6, Shehroz-e-Sehar 8-6, Neeli Nighain 8-5, Superb Star 8-5, Jamaima 8-5, Classic Beauty 8-4, Lightin Arrow 8-3, Just In Fun 8-0.
Win: Fizza
Place: Jamaima
INDEPENDENCE PLATE DIV G I - ABT 5F
Mark 9-2, Dushtiyani 9-0, Shahdad Star 9-0, Small Wonder 8-12, Hoor-e-Mehran 8-10, Lucky One 8-10, Much Better 8-9, Order Of The Day 8-9, Sajan Black 8-8, Little Sunny 8-7, Touch Of Joy 8-4, Welcome Shahtab 8-3, Satellite Star 8-2, Victory Princess 8-2, Black Door Man 7-12, Bach Fly 7-12, Dil Faraib 7-12, Sunday Picnic 7-11.
Win: Welcome Shahtab
Place: Mark
INDEPENDENCE PLATE DIV VII — ABT 5F
Rajwar 9-2, Royal Falcon 9-0, Guarantee 9-0, Flying Bird 9-0, Dauntless 8-11, Raqeeb-e-Azam 8-11, Regal 8-10, Champion Lady 8-8, Shama 8-8, Aziz Love 8-7, Lajpal Badshah 8-5, Lover’s Line 8-4, Neelam Taab 8-4, Racing Leader 8-4, Son Of None 8-0, Quick Mover 7-10.
Win: Guarantee
Place: Neelam Taab
INDEPENDENCE DAY CUP - ABT 6F
Spartacist 10-12, Al Capone 10-0, Royal Crown 10-0, Leo 9-8, Charkh Bareen 9-0, Monstro 9-0, Bold Commander 8-13, Dur-e-Yemen 8-8, Lover’s Lady 8-6, My Freedom 8-5, Sweet Touch 7-12, Sabza Choice 7-6.
Win: Sweet Touch
Place: My Freedom
INDEPENDENCE PLATE DIV IV & V - ABT 5F
Bella 9-5, Najla 9-4, The Law 9-4, Al Ashia 9-3, Lover’s Way 9-3, Strategic 9-1, Sandra’s Love 9-1, Champion Star 8-10, Inferno 8-10, Trillionaires 8-8, Shab-e-Noor 8-6, The Cleopatra 8-3, Champion By Chance 8-2, Royal Fantasy 8-0. Giselle 7-9, Deniro 7-5, Jeetain Gay Hum 7-4.
Win: Royal Fantasy
Place: Strategic
INDEPENDENCE PLATE DIV VI - ABT 5F
Donatello 9-4, Lucky Three 9-1, Heed My Speed 8-11, Sapno Ki Rani 8-9, Saligna 8-8, Slim Fit 8-8, Navahoo Princess 8-6, Dushtiyani 8-6, Mahasagar 8-3, Ever Shine 8-3.
Win: Saligna
Place: Navahoo Princess
Day’s Best: Royal Fantasy
Good Double: Welcome Shahtab to Saligna
—Ali Kabir
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