December 25, 2006	Monday	Zilhaj 03, 1427

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KARACHI, Dec 24: Five-year-old bay horse Al Faris looks certain to land the Quaid-i-Azam Gold Cup when the Gymkhana race meeting takes place at the Karachi Racecourse on Monday.

The day coincides with the 130th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation.

Al Faris has emerged as a strong contender after galloping to seven lengths victory over filly Makina with Ghulam Shabbir II aboard in the preceding 10 furlongs Trial Cup earlier this month.

It’s a test of endurance for a field of 10 horses which are in contention for the crown in the 12 furlong event – a handicap race for Pakistani horses of four years and upwards.

Owned by Faisal Farooq and saddled by Ehtisham, Al Faris should have to overcome Makina and Savabeel to maintain his ascendancy. Lucky Winner, a six-year-old chestnut from Lahore and filly, Butter Fly, will also be on hand to turn the tables.

The first race begin at 11:30am.

Dream Rose, a two-year-old bay colt from the stables of Gul Mohammad Rajar who made his debut on a winning note, is fancied to come out with shining performance by capturing The AKD Nursery Cup, restricted for two year old colts and fillies.

His likely challengers are Fair Diamond and Cash Flow but at the same time Fanim Love can also put up a good show.

Syed Sadruddin Shah’s filly, Eswarah, should make it two-in-a-row by winning 2000 Guineas of Pakistan. The triumph in Colts and Fillies Trial Cup has made her favourite in the field.

She should be chased by Big Show and Abhi Abhi for the places. Lahore’s colt, Fido Dido and another colt, Awan, can also bring an element of surprise.

On his present form, four-year-old chestnut colt Terrorist possesses the credentials to extend his winning run by grabbing The Christmas Cup. He completed hat-trick following three lengths victory in the last run.

Fillies Voo Doo Doll and Patricia can pose an immediate threat to Terrorist.

After occupying two good second places three-year-old bay colt Dubawi is tipped to deliver the goods this time should he win The Christmas Plate. Other form horses in a pack of 13 are Laat Sahib, The Conqueror’s, Stormy Kiss and Dragon Heart.

Five-year-old bay mare, Ouija Board, should make amends of the last loss by finishing ahead of Sweet Touch and Al Zarrar. Kat Mandu and Queen Of Mirwa may bring an element of surprise.

Filly Little Girl is tipped to land the opener while filly Make Millions is poised to make it two-in-a-row in the next race. After a long lay-off colt Tharkyee is predicted to shine on Sunday.

Following is the field and our selections:

CHRISTMAS PLATE DIV IV-A CLASS VII 5F:

Silent Love 9-3, Easy Come Easy Go 9-0, Vital Force 8-13, Daruwala 8-12, Canon Ball 8-10, Chistian The Great 8-10, Gul Bano 8-10, Gold Tip 8-9, Desperado 8-5, Little Girl 8-3, Achoo Gunna 8-3, Poply Billy 8-2, Lovely Concept 8-2, Field Commander 8-2, Auzy 8-0.

Win: Little Girl.

Place: Canon Ball and Daruwala.

CHRISTMAS PLATE DIV III-A CLASS VII 5F:

Khyber 9-2, Waja 8-13, Qandhar 8-13, Make Millions 8-12, Julliat 8-12, Mari Paidagiree 8-11, Sonia 8-10, Silver City 8-10, King Of Cool 8-10, Lucky Senior 8-9, Deniro 8-9, Sher-e-Awan 8-8, Shah Pasand 8-6, Sweet Saba 8-3, Azam The Great 8-3, Chand Aya 8-2, Foolish Pleasure 7-13, New Ferrari 7-13.

Win: Make Millions.

Place: Lucky Senior and Deniro.

AKD NURSERY CUP 2006 6F:

Cash Flow 9-4, Inside Story 9-4, Fair Diamond 8-11, DreamRose 8-11, Phapha Kutni 8-8, Samreen 8-8, Chosen One 8-4, Fanim Love 8-4, Sir Jee 8-4.

Win: Dream Rose.

Place: Fair Diamond and Cash Flow.

CHRISTMAS PLATE CLASS VI & VII DIV I 5F:

Queen Of Mirwa 9-2, King Of Mehran 8-13, Kat Mandu 8-11, Cant Catch Me 8-11, Ouija Board 8-10, Princess Rozi 8-9, Lucky Gem 8-6, Love Come To Town 8-3, Haseena-e-Arab 8-2, The Princess Arab 8-1, Thanks Naeem 8-0, Moment To Moment 7-13, Al Zarrar 7-12, Ali Shah Queen 7-12, Sweet Touch 7-10, Sweet Grandy 7-9.

Win: Ouija Board.

Place: Sweet Touch and Al Zarrar.

2000 GUINEAS OF PAKISTAN 2006 1MILE:

Awan 8-7, Fido Dido 8-7, Moon Raker 8-7, Reyan King 8-7, The Arab 8-7, Abhi Abhi 8-4, Big Show 8-4, Eswarah 8-4.

Win: Eswarah.

Place: Big Show and Abhi Abhi.

CHRISTMAS PLATE DIV II-A CLASS VII 5F:

Khas-ul-Khas 9-0, For Get Me Not 9-0, Tharkyee 8-13, Jan-e-Mun 8-12, Closing Argument 8-12, Sky Girl 8-10, Lucky Friend 8-10-, Rolex 8-10, Lucky Leader 8-8, Birj-ul-Arab 8-6, Queen Of Awan 8-6, Air Supply 8-3, Rodeo Hunk 8-2, Sonu Love Mani 8-1, Champion Express 8-1, Super Shot 8-1, Fair Boy 8-0.

Win: Tharkyee.

Place: Sonu Love Mani and Air Supply.

QUAID-I-AZAM GOLD CUP 2006 12F:

Al Faris 8-3, Dil Phaink 8-3, King Of Sanghar 8-3, Lucky Winner 8-2, Butter Fly 7-13, Fantasia 7-13, Makina 7-13, Naseeb 7-13, Savabeel 7-13, The King Of Arab 7-11.

Win: Al Faris.

Place: Makina and Savabeel.

CHRISTMAS PLATE CLASS IV & V DIV I & II 6F:

Chaleswan Chur 9-7, The Conqueror’s 9-0, Stormy Kiss 8-10, King Of Kings 8-8, Velvet Green 8-6, Arab Hi Arab 8-6, Dubawi 8-5, Dragon Heart 8-4, Maid’s Causeway 8-3, Virlie 8-2, Gwenivare 8-2, Laat Sahib 7-13, The Concord 7-9.

Win: Dubawi.

Place: Laat Sahib and The Conqueror’s.

CHRISTMAS CUP 2006 CLASS V DIV II & CLASS VI 6F:

Eager Saint 9-1, Jawan Bakht 9-1, Harry Potter 9-0, Black Girl 8-13, Patricia 8-13, Voo Doo Doll 8-9, Terrorist 8-8, Bilal Choice 8-7, Countess Mah Again 8-4, Red Rufus 7-12, Lady Conqueror 7-11.

Win: Terrorist.

Place: Voo Doo Doll and Patricia.

DAY’S BEST: Al Faris.

GOOD DOUBLE: Dream Rose and Dubawi.