KARACHI, Jan 5: Four-year-old bay filly Sweetie Pie is tipped to put up a fine performance in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

A splendid win and three good placings are true indication of her return to form and makes her favourite in the eighth and last race of the day’s programme.

She is likely to be chased by mares The Princess Arab and Afroze Jehan, formerly Sonu Love Mani.

Three frontline runners — colts Sir Jee, Star Is Born and mare Voo Doo Doll — are in line to vie for The New Year Cup in the fifth race to be run over a sprinting distance of five furlongs.

The non-declaration of riders in the KRC Guide has made it difficult to single out the likely winner. On current form, all the three have equal chance but the one with good handling by its jockey is poised to land the cup.

Following five successive failures, five-year-old bay Khyber is poised to make amends by picking up spoils in the opener which is top division of class VII. However, he will have to overcome filly Leopard Of Arab and mare Princess Rozi.

Eight-year-old chestnut Desert Hawk who was denied to complete hat-trick by Back In Action in the last run should oblige punters in the next race where 11 runners are in fray barring last minute withdrawls.

His likely challengers are colt Mushki and filly NYX.

If tried by connection, seven-year-old bay mare Silent Love who has been very unimpressive in the recent past should edge out opponents Eye Lady and Captain Cook.

Beaten thrice after overcoming the jinx, Desperado is fancied to atone to the loss in the fourth race thwarting the challenge from Taneez and Cape Town.

Fillies — Bacaradi and Moon Baby should sprint to glory in the other two races of the day. However, colt Shiracco has the ability to beat Moon Baby.

A card of eight races has been drawn for the day and the first race gets into action at 12.30pm.

Meanwhile, by not declaring the riders name in the weekly KRC Guide the concerned officials are snatching racegoers interests.

Following is the field and our selections:

THE SUKKUR PLATE DIV I

CLASS VII 5F:

Legend Killer 9-0, Samreen 9-0, Jonty Rhodes 9-0, Khyber 8-12, Leopard Of Arab 8-12, Dandy Dick 8-9, Persian Blue 8-6, Stride For Glory 8-6, Haibat Nak 8-2, Shu Manter 8-2, Saima Love 8-1, Forget Me Not 8-0, Princess Rozi 7-12, Guess Its Me 7-10.

Win: Khyber.

Place: Leopard Of Arab and Princess Rozi.

THE SUKKUR PLATE DIV II

CLASS VII 5F:

Desert Hawk 9-4, Chun Chun Chun 8-7, Love Pakistan 8-6, Yaqeen 8-4, NYX 8-2, Eager Saint 8-2, Hi Darling 8-1, Mushki 8-0, Princess Sparkle 8-0, Sonia 7-13, with Interest 7-11.

Win: Desert Hawk.

Place: Mushki and NYX.

THE SUKKUR PLATE DIV V-B

CLASS VII 4 1/2F:

Baby Queen 9-0, Mrs. Jack 8-13, Captain

Cook 8-12, Dr. Dang 8-11, Eye Lady 8-10, Ghabra 8-9, Silent Love 8-8, Samra Love 8-8, Look My Tiger 8-4, Rana The Great 8-3, Sherry The Great 8-3.

Win: Silent Love.

Place: Eye Lady and Captain Cook.

THE SUKKUR PLATE DIV V-A

CLASS VII 4 1/2F:

Fancy II 9-0, Noman The Great 8-13, Gul-e-Lala 8-10, Breaking News 8-10, Marista 8-8, Taneez 8-7, Sharpness 8-7, Cape Town 8-5, Wizard 8-5, Desperado 8-4, Shah Sawar 8-1.

Win: Desperado.

Place: Taneez and Cape Town.

THE NEW YEAR CUP 2008

CLASS V DIV I AND II 5F:

Savabeel 9-3, Sindh Malook 8-13, Sugar Sweet 8-13, Voo Doo Doll 8-12, Sir Jee 8-11, Dragon Heart 8-9, Good Hope 8-9, Moon Raker 8-6, Play Boy 8-3, Sahibzadi 7-13, Star Is Born 7-13, Lion Of Arab 7-13, Taiz Per 7-11, Arab hi Arab 7-7, Vice Admiral 7-6, Dark Secret 7-6.

Win: Sir Jee.

Place: Star is Born and Voo Doo Doll.

THE SUKKUR PLATE DIV IV

CLASS VII 5F:

Bacaradi 9-3, Mixed Blessing 9-0, The Choice Of The Day 8-12, New Ferrari 8-12, Geo Naeem 8-11, Native King 8-10, Full ‘N’ Final 8-10, Shan-e-Awan 8-8, Pirate Girl 8-6, Daruwala 8-4, Mandli Wala 8-2, Campari 7-13, Fascinate 7-11.

Win: Bacaradi.

Place: Geo Naeem and Daruwala.

THE SUKKUR PLATE DIV III

CLASS VII 5F:

Princess Zara 9-0, Johnie Walker 8-11, Al Zarrar 8-10, Shiracco 8-10, Trust Again 8-9, Swift Arrival 8-8, Beyond Belief 8-7, Hamza Joy 8-4, Be Jamalo 8-4, Faith 8-4, Moon Dazzler 8-2, Ho Ho Ho 8-2, Sweet Grandy 7-13, Moon Baby 7-12.

Win: Moon Baby.

Place: Beyond Belief and Hamza Joy.

THE SINDH PLATE CLASS VI 5F: