December 17, 2006	Sunday	Ziqa'ad 25, 1427

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LAHORE, Dec 16: A competitive card of seven events featuring two class IV, three class V and two class VII races, highlights the 16th Lahore Winter Meeting to be held at the Racecourse on Sunday.

In the main event, the Gojra Plate, a class IV Division I handicap race to be gone over 1300m, there are eight acceptors barring last-minute withdrawals. All are speedy animals. However, on recent performances and show at the track, three come into reckoning being the fastest among them. They are: Tuman Khan, Baker's Gal and Nosha.

By virtue of her ideal placing in the handicap Baker's Gal after a facile victory last Sunday, has an edge over the other equally good contenders. Although Tuman Khan has been placed on top in the weight scales with a heavy impost of nine stones four pounds, yet he is capable of giving a good fight to both Nosha and Baker's Gal. A close contest is expected in this race in which the skill and the tactics adopted by the riders will matter much. This will be the 6th race in racing order.

There are eleven contenders in the Gojra Plate class IV division II also to be contested over 1300m. None of them have shown any extra-ordinary performance recently,

Three-year-old colt Byron, who finished fifth behind Quwat, Great Murad, Wendy Trace and Ferrari Sunday last, appearing on the track after over a couple of months should prevail over others and win the race. The rest should fight for lesser remunerative berths.

The Mastung Plate class V division I handicap race has the largest number of contestants comprising 17 acceptors, if there are no last-minute withdrawals. Of them Fidel Castro, Eid and Cross Ruff attract attention for being the speedy animals among the lot. Class-wise Fidel Castro has come down from class IV division II, after being placed in the Summer Plate gone over 1300m on June 11 last year. The handicapper, the stipendiary steward of the Lahore Race Club (LRC) and the owner deserve commendation for their patience over such a long demotion process, a rare example. This has also skipped the ever-watchful eyes of LRC stewards.

Three-year-old bay filly, Lovely Gate, who was beaten to second place by Queen Of Music on her last running should make amends this time and win the third race. The filly was beaten due to misunderstanding of the rider in handling her on a flat out style and she was exhausted in the final 200m.

In all, 83 acceptors minus the last-minute withdrawals face the starter in seven races. The first race is scheduled to start at 12.00 noon.

The following are the fields and our selection.

SUKKUR PLATE CLASS VII DIV I 1000M.

Shim Jim 9-3, Murad King 9-2, Chetta Aya 9-0, Crystal Girl 9-0, Billoo Prince 9-0, Net Cash 8-10, Total Price 8-10, Bahar-e-Bhakkar 8-10, Royal Fish 8-10, Billoo The Great 8-4, Redouble 8-4, Cherry's Own 7-10 and Wall Street 7-8.

Win: Shim Jim.

Place: Murad King and Redouble.

MASTUNG PLATE CLASS V DIV II 1100M.

King Of Murad 9-0, Faryal 8-13, Wendy 8-13, Noomy The Hunter 8-12, Perfect Promise 8-12, Lucky Chiragh 8-12, Hermatic 8-9, Gold Medallist 8-9, Hiler 8-8, Dream Comes True 8-8, Rough Tough 8-8, Wah Bhai Wah 8-6 and Viana Coup 8-5.

Win: Dream Comes True.

Place Wah Bhai Wah and Viana Coup.

MASTUNG PLATE CLASS V DIV I 1100M.

Aaja Bulbul 9-0, Tornado 8-11, Gulf Line 8-11, Lucky Short II 8-11, Lovely Gate 8-11, Royal King 8-11, Toyota 8-8, Titan 8-7, Prince Salman 8-7, and Black Mailer 8-7.

Win: Lovely Gate.

Place: Aaja Bulbul and Royal King.

GOJRA PLATE CLASS IV DIV III 1300M.

Great Murad 9-2, High Dream 9-0, Run And Win 9-0, Princess Of Gujrat 8-11, Charming King 8-10, Byron 8-10, Sohna Billoo 8-10, Ferrari 8-9, Wendy Trace 8-8, Chill 8-6 and Puma the Great 8-2.

Win:Byron.

Place: Ferrari and Lucky Murad.

MASTUNG PLATE CLASS V DIV I 1100M.

Cobbler 9-0, Owais Dream 9-0, Chakori Jaisa 9-0, Zanjeer 9-0, Cross Ruff 9-0, Fidel Castro 8-12, Eid 8-10, Harry Can Run 8-10, Jewna 8-9, Golden Faith 8-8, Lucky Coin 8-8, Tipu Sultan 8-7, Mirana Choice 8-7, Royal Luck 8-5, Fearless Boy 8-1, Shahbaz Mayla 8-1 and Babbuu The Great 8-1.

Win: Fidel Castro.

Place: Cross Ruff and Eid.

GOJRA PLATE CLASS IV DIV I 1300M.

Tuman Khan 9-4, Sodagar 8-6, Baker's Gal 8-2, Empire Maker 8-0, Nosha 8-0, Golden Goal 8-0, Discovery 7-8 and Legend 7-8.

Win: Baker's Gal.

Place: Tuman Khan and Nosha.

SUKKUR PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 1000M.

Kind Minister 9-1, Stride To Moment 9-0, Have No Fear 9-0, Rang Dey Basanti 8-12, Mama Mia 8-12, Savera 8-12, Sohna Malook 8-5, Armida 8-5 Gift 8-2, Wah Cisco Wah 8-1 and Malang Aya 7-8.

Win: Kind Minister.

Place: Sohna Malook and Wah Cisco Wah.