KARACHI, Oct 7: Birj-ul-Arab, an eight-year-old horse, who posted a facile three lengths victory in the last meeting on Oct 1 is on course to stretch his run in the Summer Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.
The triumph which came after a long lay-off is an indication of his returning to form and promises to oblige punters with yet another good performance second time.
After being promoted to higher division he is drawn in a pack of 14 contenders in the fourth race of the programme and starts as our days’ best. He is likely to be chased by filly Juliat and mare Jadu Nagri.
A card of six races with first five going over a sprinting distance of five furlongs and the last to six has been chalked out for the day. The first race begins at 12.30noon.
With three successive second places under her belt, six-year-old bay mare Velvet Green looks certain to atone to her loses by claiming the feature event.
She should be chased by Chaleswan Chur and Countess Mah Again for the places.
Eight-year-old bay horse Trust Again and three-year-old colt Cant Catch Me are in contention for honours in the division I class VII. The latter is on trot to make it two in a row. Trust Again is our fancy and should come up with shining performance. They should be followed by colt Laat Sahib.
Fancied three-year-old bay filly In Her Shoes is poised to make amends by winning the division III class VII race. After beating Queen Of Awan by head on Sept 24, she finished off the board in the last meeting. Her likely challengers are colt Fascinate and mare Sweet Grandy.
Seven-year-old bay mare Royal Beauty should pick up spoils in the opener by overcoming the field. She should be opposed by Yanga and Jet Zone.
After consistent failure, Daruwala is tipped to prove his mettle in the next race.
Following is the field and our selection.
PILOT PLATE DIV V 5F
Royal Beauty 9-2, Yanga 9-0, Jet Zone 8-12, Captain Cook 8-10, Victory Girl 8-7, Royal Reach 8-2, Golden Voice 7-12, Sherry The Great 7-10, Flying Prince 7-10.
Win: Royal Beauty
Place: Yanga & Jet Zone
PILOT PLATE DIV IV 5F
Silver City 9-3, Chistian The Great 9-0, Daruwala 9-0, Tun Baba Tun 9-0, Ultimate Victory 8-13, Silent Love 8-9, Guarantee 8-9, Tom Cruise 8-8, Field Commander 8-6, Lucky Legs 8-6, Raka Poshi 8-6, Just Call Me 8-5, Ghabra 8-2, Bold Doll 7-10, Raj Prince 7-10, Rita 7-10.
Win: Daruwala
Place: Tom Cruise & Chistian The Great
PILOT PLATE DIV III 5F
Fascinate 9-1, Lucky Leader 8-10, In Her Shoes 8-8, Super Shot 8-6, Breaking News 8-6, Gunel 8-6, New Ferrari 8-3, Sweet Grandy 8-2, Canon Ball 8-1.
Win: In Her Shoes
Place: Fascinate & Sweet Grandy
PILOT PLATE DIV II 5F
Birj-ul-Arab 9-0, Juliat 9-0, Dr. Dre 8-13, Lucky Boss 8-13, Super Salute 8-12, Genius Lady 8-11, Sonia 8-11, Swift Arrival 8-10, Forget Me Not 8-8, Jadu Nagri 8-6, Vital Force 8-5, Leo Again 8-4, Sweet Saba 8-2, Zabil Jani 8-2.
Win: Birj-ul-Arab
Place: Juliat & Jadu Nagri
PILOT PLATE DIV I 5F
Cant Catch Me 9-0, Trust Again 8-10, Bright And Early 8-3, Khas-ul-Khas 8-2, Champion Express 7-12, Laat Sahib 7-11, Gul-e-Lala 7-11.
Win: Trust Again
Place: Cant Catch Me & Laat Sahib
SAMREEN PLATE 6F
King Of Kings 9-5, Chaleswan Chur 8-10, Velvet Green 8-9, Vieto 8-9, Eager Saint 8-9, Countess Mah Again 8-2.