February 18, 2007	Sunday	Muharram 29, 1428

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LAHORE, Feb 17: The Derby Trial, undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Lahore Winter Meetings to be run over 2000m looks a contest between two colts and two fillies at the Racecourse on Sunday.

A term race for four-year-old Pakistani colts and fillies is considered as a prep race to add credibility to owners' Derby hopes.

In this event, almost all main Derby contenders are vying to match their strides and prove their credibility for winning laurels in the country's top classic of this age group.

However, two colts from Lahore, Toru Khan and Tipu Sultan, and two Karachi fillies trained by one trainer, S. Ehtisham, Big Show and Eswara seem to be genuinely called real contenders. The main reason is that with the exception of one, Toru Khan, the other eight runners have not gone over 1600m in preparation for the event, which is a test of speed, stamina and endurance for the real contenders for the Pakistan Derby 2007, to be gone over 2400m only two weeks away.

The Derby Trial field consists of six colts and three fillies. Going through their record of performances, the above named two colts and two fillies come into reckoning. On classification Toru Khan, a son of Tora Bora out-of-Best Malan, stands above all.

Tipu Sultan, a colts from Cisco Wells out-of-Fanim, is a highly bred four-year-old and won three races in a row. But he has not been seen in races since Jan 21 last. May be the owner is hoping for a big surprise.

Both the Karachi fillies, Big Show and Eswara bring with them a bag of high profile performances each in the down-country racing center. Both ran in the 1000 Guineas Of Pakistan over 1600m. Big Show won and Eswara was placed third behind Top Cat.

However, Eswara's handling by her rider was not up to the mark otherwise she could have performed much better in the race.

For the race-goers, owners, trainers and jockeys, the Derby Trial is an epic occasion and an event for their quest for an ultimate champion colt or filly for the next month Pakistan Derby 2007. The race has been sponsored by Toyota Motors and will be the fifth race in racing order.

The main supporting and sixth event, The PTCL Cup, a class 1, 11 and 111 combined handicap race to be gone over 1400m has only six runners barring last-minute withdrawals. The distance and handicap goes in favour of three fillies, namely, top weight Go With The Wind, Dexterity and Miss Thailand.

The first named has won two races in a row and will be on the trot to make it a hat trick of victories for her owner, Syed Tasweer Hussain. She is a well-bred daughter of U.S sire, Bertolini and has proved worth in gold for the owner and trainer Sohail Aziz. The filly was on previous outing ridden by jockey Shahid Rehman, who is likely to be in the saddle again. Shahid is a two-length better rider as compared to other Lahore riders, and the filly is in form, that gives an edge to Go With The Wind to blast her rivals.

Another contender, a daughter of a U.S sire, Grand Lodge out-of-Miss Amanpuri, Miss Thailand ran third in her first outing a fortnight back. She burst her blood vessel during the race, perhaps due to being under pressure or change of climatic conditions. Interestingly, Grand Lodge, a worthy son of Chief's Crown, was ranked seventh as progenitor among sires of Great Britian and Ireland in order of prize-money won by progenies in 2002. According to figures tabulated by Hyperion Promotions Ltd the first six sires were: Dane Hill, Sadler's Wells, Green Desert, Zinaad, Machivellian and Indian Ridge. Miss Thailand has not yet shown any signs of her high pedigree.

Dexterity is the daughter of Dexter out-of-Lady Eclipse. Dexter is a sire, who has to his credit that all his progenies have done well in races so far. Then there is another imported filly Sun Stroke, who is tracking well but this will be her maiden appearance on the track and it is yet to be seen how she is going to behave. Thus, the battle should be between Go With The Wind and Dexterity.

The third cup event, the Bin Qasim Cup, a term race for three-year-old Pakistani colts and fillies has eight runners, if there are no last-minute withdrawals. On them three attract attention on their performances in the on-going Lahore Winter Meetings. They are: Fair Diamond, Headingley and Manu Janu. The colt from Karachi, Fair Diamond with his breeding potential looks a cut above in class and will be on the course to make it two in-a-row following his last win fortnight back. The colt is under training of S. Ehtisham, who is well versed in the art of horse training.

The opener comprising 18 runners looks an open affair. Of them four seems to be on chance. They are: King Of Murad, Beautiful Baby, Kind Minister and Al Murad. They should fight for the spoils in the same order.

Tan Man Dhan, Julia Robert, Chakori Jaisa and Aaja Bulbul are the pick of 16 drawn for the second race. They should finish on the board, if sent with a will to do the job.

The third race looks a contest between two, Lethal Force and Willhewish. Both have won a race each but Lethal Force's style was more mature and impressive. Run And Win and Little Legend may fight for the place.

Jasrah, Dil Vil and Kiss Of Luck look good in the seventh race. Jasrah's performances were more consistent than his rivals to give him edge over others.

Flying Pet, Lucifer and Chill are good performers in the eighth and last race. The bay filly, Flying Pet, who has already won two races should make it three to complete a hat-trick. Lucifer and Chill may form the vanguard of her challengers. A card of eight events has been drawn for the Toyota Derby Trial day races. The first four events will be contested over the sprinting distance of 1200m. The derby Trial will be contested over 2000m and the other three over 1400m. The first race will be held at 12noon.

The following are the fields and our selections.

LASBELA PLATE CLASS VI DIV III 1200M:

Beautiful Baby 9-0, Chinkara 8-12, Shahbaz Mayla 8-12, Super Mayla 8-12, Do Or Die 8-12, Kind Minister 8-12, Striker 8-12, King Of Murad 8-10, Faryal 8-9, Lucky Star 8-8, Great Bulbul 8-8, Al Murad 8-8, Pretty Princess 8-6, Star Dust 8-6, Toyota 8-6, Armida 8-6, Bosra Sham 8-1 and Welcome Mayla 8-0.

Win: King Of Murad.

Place: Al Murad and Beautiful Baby.

LASBELA PLATE CLASS V DIV II 1200M:

Jang Frau 9-0, Shah Pari 9-0, Prince Of Bhakkar 9-0, Julia Robert 8-13, Hitler 8-12, Tan Man Dhan 8-10, Royal King 8-8, Aaja Bulbul 8-8, Royal Deal 8-8, Lead Story 8-6, Khyber Star 8-6, Cross Ruff 8-6, Chakori Jaisa 8-4, Just My Luck 8-4 and Bad-e-Naseem 8-2.

Win: Tan Man Dhan.

Place: Julia Robert and Chakori Jaisa.

LASBELA PLATE CLASS V DIV 1 1200M:

Run And Win 9-1, Charming King 9-0, Lethal Force 9-0, Azam Love 8-12, Major Rana 8-12, Rough Tough 8-10, Little Legend 8-8, Hallo Dancer 8-7, Decent Fella 8-7, Mubashara 8-6, Blue Fire 8-5, Lucky Short 11 8-2, Safe And Sound 8-2 Dream Comes True 8-2 Willhewish 8-2 Fruity 8-2 Babbu The Great 7-11 and Trump Coup 7-8.

Win: Lethal Force.

Place: Run And Win and Will he wish.

BIN QASIM CUP, A TERM RACE FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD COLTS AND FILLIES 1200M.

Headingley 9-0, Fair Diamond 9-0, Janu Manu 8-7, Icon 8-0, Coming Chandiwala 8-0, Tropical 7-11, Bold Act 7-11 and Janu 7-11.

Win: Fair Diamond.

Place: Headingley.

TOYOTA DERBY TRIAL, A TERM RACE FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLD COLTS AND FILLIES 2000M:

Azzam 8-10, Chan 8-10, Fido Dido 8-10, Gold Krik 8-10, Toru Khan 8-10, Tipu Sultan 8-10, Big Show 8-7, Top Cat 8-7 and Eswara 8-7.

Win: Toru Khan.

Place: Big Show and Tipu Sultan. Upset: Eswara.

PTCL CUP CLASS 1, 11 & 111 1400M:

Go With The Wind 9-12, Dexterity 8-5, Miss Thailand 8-1, Sun Stroke 8-1, Catch All 8-1 and Valentine 7-8.

Win: Go With The Wind.

Place: Miss Thailand and Dexterity.

FRONTIER PLATE CLASS IV DIV 1 & 11 1400M:

Harry Can View 9-4, Para Game 9-4, Noor 9-2, Jasrah 9-0, Kiss Of Luck 8-12, Byron 8-10, Zanjeer 8-10, Sodagar 8-4, Dil Vil 8-0, War Admiral 7-12, Empire Maker 7-12 and Great Murad 7-10.

Win: Jasrah.

Place; Kiss Of Luck and Dil Vil.

FRONTIER PLATE CLASS IV DIV 111 1400M:

Namroud 9-0, Miss Photogenic 9-0, Flying Pet 8-12, Lovely Gate 8-12, Lucifer 8-12, Wendy Trace 8-6, Black House 8-6, Don't Follow 8-2, Druree 8-2, Puma The Great 7-12, Game Over 7-12, Red Hot Fire 7-10 and Chill 7-10.

Win: Flying Pet.

Place: Chill and Lucifer.