December 16, 2007	Sunday	Zilhaj 5, 1428

LAHORE, Dec 15: To the delight of racing connoisseurs, the Lahore Winter Meetings, with a seven-event card, will resume at the Racecourse on Sunday after a break of 21 days.

The race schedule was in total disarray due to the spread of equine influenza. The viral infection caused severe problems resulting in disruption of races as a majority of the horses were afflicted with the disease.

Some 69 horses will be taking part in Sunday’s races, all over 1000m events. Karachi Plate, the feature event, which is a class 1, 11 and 111 handicap race of over 1,000 metres, has seven runners, all imported thoroughbreds.

This season’s races will be an open affair, since the horses are running for the first time and that too during a disease scare, although it is well under control by now.

Syed Parvaiz Hussain Shah’s Grecianette and Konica trained by Sohail Aziz and Faisal Farooq’s Rising Tide and Snow Clad trained by Khadim Hussain will be grappling for top honours. The latter’s pair with an Australian bloodline, however, enjoy an edge over the others on handicap.

Miss Thailand, owned by Malik Hamid Ali Noon is tracking well and, though placed adversely in the weight-scales, has the potential to put up a great fight. The filly is trained by Haji Fazal Hadi.

The supporting race, the sixth one on the card, the Gojra Plate, a class V division 1 and 11 has only six runners. Three-year-old filly Poly Cat, who has already won two races in a row, will be on the trot to make it a hat-trick of victories. The filly Discovery, Motivator and Lovely Gate should fight for the place.

The bay filly Chanela, who finished second, behind Mythical on Nov 25, looks a cut above in class vis-à-vis her five rivals in the fifth race. She would be followed by Chill and Harry Can View.

The four-year-old chestnut filly beaten by Re-born should avenge her defeat having the better of her 14-rivals in the fourth race leaving Re-born, Lucky Cat and Mirana’s Choice to fight for the less remunerative berths.

This will be the fourth race of the day in which the biggest field is likely to line up for the start, barring last-minute withdrawals.

Trump Coup and Extravagant which belong to Masood Pervaiz are the pick of the 13 probable runners drawn for the third race. Magic Stride and Zohra Jabeen may form the vanguard of challengers.

Tallal The Great, Dillagi and Little Smile are the pick of the nine runners in the second race. The twice-defeated Tallal The Great should make amends and win this time.

Brave Heart, Regulation and Shikari are looking good for the opener. The dark-bay gelding Regulation enjoys an advantage in the weight-scales to pick up the spoils.

The first race is to be held at 11.00am.

Following are the field and our selections

JHANG PLATE CLASS VI DIV II 1000M.

Weldon Shogun 9-0, Happy bear 9-0, Brave heart 8-12, Token Of Love 8-11, Murad King 8-10, First Passion 8-7, Mantar Prince 8-6 ,Sun Shine 8-6, Ahsan The Great 8-6, Shikari 8-2, Regulation 8-2, No Appologies 7-12 and Sona 7-10.

Win: Regulation.

Place: Shikari and Brave heart.

JHANG PLATE CLASS VI DIV I 1000M.

Dillagi 9-2, Run For Dollar 9-0, Armida 8-12, Tallal The Great 8-11, Little Smile 8-10, Striker 8-10, Princess Afaq 8-6, Shah Pari 8-4 and Dam Dama Dam 7-13.

Win: Tallal The Great.

Place: Dillagi and Shah Pari.

MUSTANG PLATE CLASS V

DIV II 1000M.

Trump Coup 9-4, Extravagant 9-0, Look My Luck 9-0, Lubna 9-0, Deja Vau 8-12, Charming King 8-10, Zohra Jabeen 8-6, Pick Of The Day 8-6, Magic Stride 8-4, Babbu The great 8-2, Hallow Handsome 8-2, Arzoo 8-2 and Tyson 8-0.

Win: Trump Coup or Extravagant.

Place: Magic Stride.

MUSTANG PLATE CLASS V

DIV I 1000M.

Born To Win 9-2, Re-born 9-2, Miss Play 8-12, Cross Ruff 8-10, Rough Tough 8-10, Shim Jim 8-8, Empire Maker 8-8, High Jet 8-4, Red Hot Fire 8-2, Mirana Choice 8-2, Emperor 7-12, Super Sonic 7-12, Run And Win 7-12, Lucky Cat 7-12 and stride to Moment 7-10.

Win: Miss Play or Lucky Cat.

Place: Reborn.

GOJRA PLATE CLASS IV

DIV III 1000M.

Don’t Follow 9-2, Harry Can View 8-10, Hallow Dancer 8-6, Volcano 8-6, Chanela 8-10, and Chill 8-3.

Win: Chanela.

Place: Chill.

GOJRA PLATE CLASS IV

DIV I & II 1000M.

Dil Vil 9-0, Discovery 8-6, Poly Cat 8-4, Motivator 8-4, Zargar 8-0 and lovely gate 7-10.

Win: Poly Cat.

Place: Lovely Gate.

KARACHI PLATE CLASS 1, 11 AND 111 1000M.

Grecianette 12-0 Brummel 11-6 Miss Thailand 10-5 Sun Stroke 8-1 Konica 8-1 Rising Tide 81 and snow Clad 8-1.

Win: Farooq Faisal’s choice.

Place: Miss Thailand.