August 12, 2007	Sunday	Rajab 27, 1428

LAHORE, Aug 11: A small turnout is set for the Jashn-i-Azadi Cup horse-race being held in connection with the auspicious occasion of country's 60th Independence Day celebrations at the Racecourse on Sunday.

However, the response for the other two-cup events, the Independence Day Cup and the August Cup is pretty good.

The Jashn-i-Azadi Cup, a class IV and III combined handicap race to be gone over 1400 metres, has only six runners barring last-minute withdrawals. Of them on recent form and classification only two stand out. They are Zanjeer and Kiss Of Luck.

Four-year-old roan gelding Zanjeer has so far won seven races and placed twice in his 17 outings to date. He last won the Summer Cup over 1200 metres and will be on the trot to make it two cups in a row.

Three-year-old bay colt Kiss Of Luck had won five races including a hat-trick and placed once in his ten outings during the last season. He last won a class IV division I handicap race on May 27 last and will open his new season's campaign in the Jashn-i-Azadi Cup. The race distance goes in favour of Zanjeer , a late comer with a speed burst, while Kiss Of Luck is a front-runner.

The other four runners do not belong to the classification of the two and will be there to make the field for the sixth race of the day.

The supporting and fifth race, the Independence Day Cup to be contested over 1200 metres, has a strong field of a dozen starters barring last-minute withdrawals. Of them three come into reckoning, namely, Royal Destiny, Discovery and The Senator. If recent form and the handicap is any yardstick to judge the capability of runners, the four-year-old filly Discovery seems to be enjoying slight advantage over others, who should fight for the places.

The August Cup, a class VII division I handicap race over the sprinting distance of 1000 metres has a dozen runners, of whom over half-a-dozen stand chance. That will make it an open affair. But a close review of the performances of all contenders gives chance to Princess Afaq, First Dream, Rana Choice and Jewna to finish within one length. And next come another three within another length, Extravagant, Remember You and Blue Fire.

In such races, the draw, the rider and the stable fancy apparently will be the deciding point. This will be the seventh and last race of the day.

Chestnut colt, Singapore, who finished third in his last outing on Aug 1, should make amends and win the first race to double the Independence Day celebrations for his baldy owner. The other three, Usman Prince, Miss Mano and Shalimar should fight for the frame.

Bird Fly, Tosca and Black King look good in the second race. They should fight for the winner's box. The trio is the fastest among the eleven runners drawn for the second race.

A card of seven races four to be gone over 1000m, two 1200m and one 1400m will be decided. The first race will be held at 5:00pm.

Following is the field and our selection:

AUGUST PLATE CLASS VII

DIV IV 1000M:

Sohna Noor 9-0, Sohni Noor 9-0, Leader's Wing 9-0, Malika 8-10, Dillagi 8-10, Ahsan Love 8-10, Nigar 8-6, Three In One 8-4, Sona 8-2, Usman Prince 8-2, Shalimar 7-10, Singapore 7-9, Baggi 7-8, Golden Queen 7-4 and Miss Mano 7-4.

Win: Singapore.

Place: Usman Prince and Miss Mano.

AUGUST PLATE III CLASS VII

DIV 1000M:

Sher Khan 9-0, Cheeku Khan 8-8, Dashing Paradise 8-8, Shah Rani 8-8, Nawa-I-Sehar 8-6, Bird Fly 8-4, Tosca 8-4, Black King 7-12, Titan 7-12, Issabella 7-4 and Simoom 7-4.

Win: Bird Fly.

Place: Black King and Tosca.

PLATE AUGUST CLASS VII

DIVISION II 1000M:

No Appologies 9-0, Armida 8-12, Valentino 8-12, Royal Deal 8-10, Wah Bhai Wah 8-10, Mannan Prince 8-4 ,Tallal The Great 8-4, Stride To Moment 8-2, Royal Palace 8-0, Blu's Wendy 8-0 and High Hope 8-0.

Win: Mannan Prince.

Place: Blu's Wendy and Stride to Moment.

INDEPENDENCE DAY PLATE CLASS V

DIV II 1200M:

Penalty Corner 9-0, Trump Coup 9-0, Royal Victory 8-12, Tyson 8-10, Prince Salman 8-10, Hamza Prince 8-8, Gulf Line 8-0, Shim Jim 7-12, Do Or Die 7-8, Pretty Princess 7-8 and Shah Pari 7-8.

Win: Gulf Line.

Place: Shim Jim and Tyson.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CUP CLASS V DIVISION I 1200M:

Jung Frau 9-0, Royal Destiny 9-0, Simbi 9-0, Grey Panther 9-0, Perfect Promise 9-0, Unter 8-10, Discovery 8-8, Amazing Boy 8-7, Moj Mayla 8-6 Sharp Burg 8-0 Run And Win 8-0 and The Senator 7-12.

Win: Discovery.

Place: The Senator and Royal Destiny.

JASHN-I-AZADI CUP CLASS IV

(III INCLUDED) 1400M:

Zanjeer 9-4, Kiss Of Luck 9-2, Stereo Nation 8-8, Noor 8-2, Gujrat Princess 7-10 and Royal Fish 7-10.

Win: Zanjeeer

Place Kiss Of Luck and Noor.

AUGUST CUP CLASS VII DIVI I 1000M:

Extravagant 9-0, Rana Choice 8-10, Remember You 8-8, Jewna 8-6, Great Rythym 8-2, Sweet Lady 8-2, Striker 8-2, Big Choice 8-2, Princess Afaq 7-10, Mama Mia 7-10, Blue Fire 7-10 and First Dream 7-6.

Win: Princess Afaq.

Place: Rana Choice and First Dream.