September 09, 2007	Sunday	Sha'aban 26, 1428

KARACHI, Sept 8: Three-year-old bay filly Fantastic Baby which enjoys an enviable course record of double hat-trick is again in line for another bold showing to land The Defence Day Cup 2007 in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Though her form suggests she should again return with flying colours, at the same time a change of rider has created some doubts in the mind of punters.

Jockey Fahim K. who steered her to a maiden victory will handle the mount in place of its regular rider Ghulam Shabbir II who will astride filly Abhi Abhi. Rider M. Yousuf piloted her home once in the feat.

Four-year-old bay colt Truf Shot who reasserted his authority by storming to a five lengths victory last weekend, looks poised to pose her serious challenge. He won five races on the trot before finishing off the board.

Filly Abhi Abhi and colt The Conqueror’s are the two other contenders in the shortest field to be gone over six furlongs. This will be the fifth race on the programme and also serves as the feature event.

Two-year-old bay colt Lion Of Arab is fancied to claim The Youngster Cup 2007 in the five furlongs race restricted to two-year-old colts and fillies.

He chalked up two-and-a-half lengths victory over Flawless Victory to annex The Emirates Farm Cup in the maiden run on Aug 26.

He is likely to be chased by filly Moomal in a field of six barring last-minute withdrawls.

A lengthy card of nine races including two cups has been drawn for the day. The first race gets into action at 12.30pm.

With four wins under his belt, three-year-old bay colt Royal King is our fancy to pick up spoils in the supporting event. Voo Doo Doll and Dragon Heart come in reckoning for the places.

Four-year-old chestnut colt King Of Cool should be on the job in the opener where 18 runners are to face the starter at the gate barring withdrawls, if any. He is on course for a hat-trick.

Similarly, filly Green Rose should oblige race-goers by picking up the next race. Her rivals include Smiling Face and Hi Darling besides Inside Story who may upset the results.

If allowed to run on merit, mare Royal Loyalty, chestnut Dr Dre and filly Taiz Per look certain to overcome the opposition by claiming their races. The three settled for second places in their last run.

The last race should end in a blaze of glory for filly Sahibzadi who has proved her mettle by reigning supreme in the last three races.

Following is the field and our selection:

THE DEFENCE PLATE DIV III

CLASS VII 5F:

Shan-e-Mir 9-2, Closing Argument 9-1, King Of Cool 9-0, Good Naeem 8-12, Lucky Gem 8-12, Field Commander 8-12, Arabian Butterfly 8-11, Golden Bangles 8-11, Silver City 8-10, Be Jamalo 8-9, Al Zarrar 8-8, Sweet Saba 8-4, Sweetie Pie 8-2, Back In Action 8-2, Ordinance 8-2, Muktadar 8-2, On Looker 8-1, Geo Naeem 8-0.

Win: King Of Cool.

Place: Closing Argument and Geo Naeem.

THE DEFENCE PLATE DIV I

CLASS VII 5F:

Smiling Face 9-0, Faith 9-0, Inside Story 8-12, Hi Darling 8-12, Chahat 8-9, Maid’s Causeway 8-1, Pirate Girl 8-1, Green Rose 8-0.

Win: Green Rose.

Place: Smiling Face and Hi Darling.

THE YOUNGSTER CUP 2007 5F:

Lion Of Arab 8-7, Play Boy 8-7, Moomal 8-4, Fame 8-0, Yaqeen 8-0, Jadu Jantar 7-11.

Win: Lion Of Arab.

Place: Moomal.

THE NISHAN-E-HAIDER PLATE

CLASS V DIV I AND II 5F:

Dragon Heart 9-0, Paidagir 8-13, Moon Raker 8-12, Voo Doo Doll 8-8, Royal King 8-3, Cash Flow 8-3, Awan 8-2, Sir Jee 8-1.

Win: Royal King.

Place: Voo Doo Doll and Dragon Heart.

THE DEFENCE DAY CUP 2007 6F:

Truf Shot 9-0, Fantastic Baby 8-13, Abhi Abhi 8-6, The Conqueror’s 8-4.

Win: Fantastic Baby.

Place: Truf Shot.

THE DEFENCE PLATE DIV V

CLASS VII 5F:

Breaking News 9-2, Silent Love 9-0, Noman The Great 8-13, Salim Love 8-12, Welcome Pachino 8-11, Charlie 8-10, Daruwala 8-9, Royal Loyalty 8-8, Tom Cruise 8-8, Annaba 8-7, Raaz 8-5, Jaguar 8-5, Lucky View 8-4, Eye Lady 8-4, Yes Chief 8-2, Ghabra 8-1, Roop Ki Rani 7-13.

Win: Royal Loyalty.

Place: Daruwala and Silent Love.

THE DEFENCE PLATE DIV IV

CLASS VII 5F:

Sweet Grandy 9-0, Priceless 8-12, Desperado 8-10, Dr. Dre 8-10, Shah Sawar 8-10, Eager Saint 8-8, Moment To Moment II 8-7, Little Girl 8-6, Gul-e-Lala 8-4, Marista 8-4, Jet Zone 8-2, Bewitched 7-12.

Win: Dr. Dre.

Place: Priceless and Eager Saint.

THE DEFENCE PLATE DIV II

CLASS VII 5F:

Fasten Your Seat Belt 9-0, Make Millions 8-10, Fruity 8-9, Taiz Per 8-7, Phool Patti 8-6, Canon Ball 8-6, Sher-e-Awan 8-6, Midas Touch 8-4, NYX 8-3, Strike The Gold 8-3, Count The Money 8-2, Vice Admiral 8-1, Trust Again 8-1, Moon Baby 7-13, Walayat 7-11.Win: Taiz Per.

Place: Vice Admiral and Midas Touch.

THE SHAHEED PLATE CLASS VI 5F:

Your Honour 9-2, Black Arrow 9-0, Gule-Awan 9-0, Rolex 9-0, Sahibzadi 8-13, Janu Love Inshu 8-13, Jack In The Box 8-13, Thanks Naeem 8-12, Kat Mandu 8-9, Lady Conqueror 8-4, Shan-e-Arab 8-4, Sony Love Mani 8-0, Red Rufus 8-0, Naseeb Jani 7-13, Lucky Friend 7-12.

Win: Sahibzadi.

Place: Rolex and Janu Love Inshu.

DAY’S BEST: Fantastic Baby.

GOOD DOUBLE: Taiz Per and Sahibzadi.