January 22, 2006	Sunday	Zilhaj 21, 1426

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LAHORE, Jan 21: Four-year-old colt, Thrill, with three back to back victories to his credit, will be on the trot to stretch his winning streak to four during the 20th Lahore Winter Meeting at the Racecourse on Sunday.

In a field of eight barring last-minute withdrawals, Thrill is the best performer among the five four-year-olds drawn for the Islamabad Plate, a class II and III combined handicap race to be run over 1600m.

The bay colt from Bakers Gate out-of-Poly Game, Thrill is unbeaten in his three outings- a performance which rates him on the top of the contenders for the Pakistan Derby 2006 to be held in the first week of March.

Among his rivals for Sunday’s race the notables are four-year-old filly Poly Nest and the colt Achilles. Both have registered two victories so far and are among Derby contenders.

However Thrill’s performance by any standard is far more impressive than his opponents. Owned by Javaid Khalid the fancy colt is trained by I. Nawab.

Four-year-old bay English colt Banzine, who was beaten in his previous outing should make amends and win the Sapphire Cup on Sunday.

This colt from English sire Barathea out-of-Banque Privet, Banzine was beaten by Hidden Cave and Brumell on Nov 20 last on his maiden appearance at the track. Owned by Syed Tasweer Hussain Shah and trained by Sohail Aziz Banzine has been tracking well since then. His close rivals could be a filly from Sohail Aziz’s yard Colonial Girl and Potente.

In all, ten imported thoroughbreds are to line up for the event, if there are no last-minute withdrawals.

This will be the seventh race to be run over 1600m.

Bay colt Fajr looks a good thing in the Qutub-ud-Din Aibak Cup to be contested over 1600m.

A progeny of Trace Creek running in the colours of Shoaib Tariq, Fajr had won a race on Sunday last over 1400m and the additional increase of 200m in race distance goes in his favour. He should be followed by Charming King and Taqwa.

The first and second race of the day and tightly handicapped and packed with animals of gaming connections with mysterious moves and winner picking may be a difficult task for punters.

First Passion and Sindbad are the pick of eleven drawn for the third race. They should fight it out.

Royal Fantasy, Herry Can Run, Royal Salute and Green Street are prominent runners in the fourth race.

They should decide about the winner. Miss Pole, Motivator and Poly Dunit look good in the fifth race to be contested over 1400m.

On form Miss Pole is good. However, Poly Dunit is placed low in the handicap and may upset calculations.

The ninth race seems to be going in the way of the nine-year-old horse Blu’s Wendy and it is up to the owner to pick up the spoils.

A lengthy card of nine races has been drawn. The first race will be held at 11am.

Fields and our selection:

KHARIAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 1000M.

Sundri 9-0 Malang Aya 9-0 Dam Dama Dam 9-0 Coming Bulbul 8-10 Token Of Love 8-6 Billoo The Great 8-4 Dogar’s Gift 8-2 Mohabtain 8-2 Daisy Against All 8-2 and Kosay Kaza 7-4.

Win: Daisy Against All. Place: Dogar Gift and Token Of Love.

KHARIAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV I 1000M.

Tallal The Great 9-4 Government Gift 9-0 Owais Dream 9-0 Bahar-i-Bhakkar 9-0 Mera Chandiwala 9-0 Moj Mela 9-0 Wah Cisco Wah 8-10 May May 8-10 Capeletti 8-10 My Shanga 8-6 Attraction 8-2 Stride To Moment 8-0 Fair Boy 8-0 Wah Bhai Wah 7-13 and Remember You 7-11.

Win: Tallal The Great. Place: Mera Chandiwala and Government Gift.

QUTUB-UD-DIN AIBAK PLATE CLASS V DIV II 1300m.

Grey Swallow 9-2 Hellow Dancer 9-0 First Look 8-10 First Passion 8-10 Dancing Star 8-10 Major Rana 8-10 Love Moon 8-7 Bad-i-Naseem 8-6 Sind Bad 8-4 Savera 7-12 and Cross Ruff 7-9.

Win: First Passion. Place: Love Moon and Sindbad.

PUNJAB PLATE CLASS IV DIV III 1300M.

Key Guy Doll 9-4 Hatam 9-4 Green Street 9-1 Chiki Chita 9-0 Fidel Castro 8-11 Safe And Sound 8-3 Morning Bird 8-2 Rough Tough 8-2 Royal Salute 8-2 Jasrah 8-2 Native Force 8—0 Royal Fantasy 8-0 and Herry Can Run 7-10.

Win: Royal Fantasy. Place: Green Street and Royal Salute.

PUNJAB PLATE CLASS IV DIVISION II 1400M.

Miss Pole 9-4 Sher-i-Gujrat 9-1 Ghazi Rifle 8-13 Zargar 8-8 Aya Chandi Wala 8-7 Motivator 8-7 Miss Photogenic 8-5 Run And Win 8-1 and Poly Dunit 7-13. Win: Miss Pole. Place: Motivator and Poly Dunit.

ISLAMABAD PLATE CLASS II & III 1600M.

HEIGHT OF HAPPINESS 10-6

Poly Nest 8-8 Who Dare 8-2 Thrill 8-0 Owais Prince 8-0 Achilles 7-13 Freedom Dancer 7-9 and Mumtaz Mahal 7-9.

Win: Thrill. Place: Achilles and Poly Nest.

Sapphire Cup Class II & III (Imported thoroughbreds only) 1600M.

Catch All 9-4 Thai Hi 9-1 Colonial Girl 8-3 Banzine 8-0 Ponente 7-11 Dixie Queen 7-10 Dinner Guest 7-10 Balanda 7-10 Chandni 7-10 and Calendar Girl 7-4.

Win: Banzine. Place: Ponente and Calendar Girl.

QUTUB-UD-DIN AIBAK CUP CLASS V DIV I 1600M.

Taqwa 9-4 Quwat 9-0 Golden Creek 9-0 Charming King 9-0 Para Game 8-11 Noor 8-11 Tan Man Dhan 8-7 and Fajr 8-6.

Win: Fajr. Place: Charming King and Taqwa.

QUTUB-UD-DIN AIBAK CUP CLASS DIV I-B 1600M.

Blu’s Wendy 9-4 Dashing Paradise 9-0 Byron 8-10 Memula 8-10 Zardan 8-10 Royal Gambler 8-6 High Hope 8-6 Lucky Queen 8-2 and Ministry 7-10.

Win: Blu’s Wendy. Place: Ministry and Zardan.