December 05, 2007	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 24, 1428

LAHORE, Dec 4: The previously unknown four-year-old bay filly Pind De Kuri, with a stunning hat-trick to her credit, will be on the trot to stretch her tally to four wins when the mid-week Lahore gymkhana races resume at the Racecourse on Wednesday.

The races will commence after a 10-day break following the outbreak of equine influenza, which since Nov 25 had engulfed the entire stable strength of horses. So widespread was the disease’s impact that almost every horse fell sick with temperatures ranging from 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Still no casualty was reported although many horses did lose a lot of weight.

Pind De Kuri, with three consecutive victories to her credit — Oct 31, Nov 7 and Nov 14 — is undoubtedly a speedy and resolute fighter. At present, she is the best. Owned by the Lahore Race Club (LRC), the filly is contesting in the fifth race in a card of five events. Among her rivals are the unknown mare Dillagi and the half-bred Arsome Prince who are both looking good for the over 800-metre events.

The supporting and fourth event has eight runners, three of them — Royal Palace, Mantar Prince and Dimple — riding over the fame of their recent performances. They should fight for the spoils in the same order.

Mah-e-Noor, Mahima and Bird Fly are the pick of the eight probables in the third race. They are all fast with Mahima having a slight advantage over the others in weight.

Brave Heart, Malika and Sohna Bhakkar are bound to attract attention in the second race, which should see a close finish between the three, with Brave Heart having an edge over the other two.

Ahsan Love, Aya Bhakkar and Pretty look good among the 11 on the field in the opener. They should perform well and finish in the same order with a good rider in the saddle.

A vast majority of the 47 acceptors, barring last-minute withdrawals, constituting five events are from unknown pedigrees, who have given a new impetus to gymkhana races where they form an overwhelming majority and make the card look numerically respectable. At present there are over 110 claimants of unknown pedigrees.

LRC may rightly boast to be the innovator of this new racing scene. But then perhaps there was no other way out to put the club financially on an even keel. Sunday’s races ended up in loss despite sponsorships. The losses had to be made up through the proceeds from the gymkhana races. This is how the racing wheel was set back in motion.

The card of five events drawn for Wednesday afternoon are all over 800 metres with the first to be held at 3.30pm.

Following is the field and our selections:

Gujranwala Plate Class VII

Div I-B 1000M:

Cash Deposit 9-0, Pretty 8-8, Waqas Prince 8-8, Kiss Of Love 8-6, Prince Of Rana 8-6, Sohni Noor 8-6, Red Baron 8-6, Aya Bhakkar 8-6, Ahsan Love 8-6, Pattola 8-6 and Stumpy 8-4.

Winner: Ahsan Love.

Place: Aya Bhakkar and Pretty.

Gujranwala Plate Class VII

Div I-A 800M:

Rose 9-2, Lal Pari 9-0, Yasir Love 9-0, Billoo Love 9-0, Brave Heart 8-10, Trivera 8-6, Billal Love 8-6, Koonj 8-6, Sohna Bhakkar 8-2, Bioactive 8-2 and Malika 8-0.

Winner: Brave Heart.

Place: Rose and Malika.

Shah Kot Plate Class VI

Div III-B 800M:

Kotli 9-0, Malang Aya 8-13, Mah-e-Noor 8-12, Sohna Murad 8-10, Mahima 8-8, Rajwara 8-6, Sohna Noor 8-6 and Bird Fly 8-6.

Winner: Mahima.

Place: Bird Fly and Mah-e-Noor.

Shah Kot Plate Class VI

Div III-A 800M:

Sana 9-0, Mantar Prince 9-0, High Hope 8-12, Company 8-12, Have No Fear 8-12, Royal Palace 8-12, Magic Prince 8-10 and Dimple 8-6.

Winner: Royal Palace.

Place: Dimple and Mantar Prince.

Shah Kot Plate Class VI

Div I & II 800M:

Happy Bear 9-0, Tallal The Great 8-10, Arsome Prince 8-10, Pind De Kuri 8-5, Dillagi 8-2, Sun Shine 8-0, Token Of Love 8-0, Murad King 7-10 and Happy Life 7-10.

Winner: Pind De Kuri.

Place: Murad King and Dillagi.