January 13, 2008	Sunday	Muharram 03, 1429

LAHORE, Jan 12: Four-year-old colt Lucifer should be all set to win the feature event when the 20th Lahore Winter Meeting gets underway at the Racecourse on Sunday.

The Tandalianwala Sugar Mills Cup, a class IV division I-II, combined handicap race to be gone over the sprinting distance of 1,200 metres, has seven runners. Three of them attract attention keeping past performances and bloodline in mind. Lucifer is on the top with three wins, five seconds and a third in his 10 outings to date.

Seeing how Lucifer chased the front runner in the initial part of the race last week, race-goers could have never envisaged him slithering so pathetically later to accept a two and a half length’s defeat from the filly Mythical.

The son of Bletch Dancer out-of-Shateen, Lucifer has accumulated many fans through his performances but his last two runs have reduced him from a star colt to a bungling novice. Even his breeder Syed Parvaiz Husain Shah has expressed surprise over the colt’s dramatic failure. Obviously something was wrong somewhere and he wouldn’t make losing a habit.

Dil Vil and Desert Prince are the next best in this sixth race of the day’s seven-event card. Desert Prince is good but he is running after an almost two month’s rest.

Chestnut mare Chill looks good enough to win the supporting and seventh race, the Tandalianwala Plate class IV division II and III, to be contested in the over 1,200 metres distance. Only two among Chill’s seven rivals — Vendetta and Royal Tradition — seem prominent to fight for positions.

Lucky Cat, Karam Pey Karam and Zohra Jabeen II are the pick of the 13-strong field for the fifth race. The filly Lucky Cat enjoys handicap advantage over the rest.

Empire Maker, Munsaf, Trobis Own and Scooby Do should make a mark in the fourth race. Bay horse Empire Maker, who has been knocking at victory’s door for a while, should have the better of his rivals. Trobis Own too is showing tremendous improvement with each running.

A card of seven events will be down for decision on Sunday. Two races will be contested in the over 1,000 metres distance, with five going over 1,200 metres. The first race will be held at 12.00 noon.

Following are the fields and our selections:

Ravi Plate Class VI Div II 1,000M:

Love Minister 9-4, Golden Road 9-0, Arzoo 8-10, Regulation 8-6, Nut Cracker 8-6, Alisheba 8-1, Bandagi 8-0, Token Of Love 7-13, Wonderful Smile 7-10 and So Romantic 7-6.

Win: Love Minister. Place: Wonderful Smile and Regulation.

Ravi Plate Class VI Div I 1,000M:

Lubna 9-0, Amazing Boy 9-0, Sohna Billoo 9-0, Chimera 9-0, Diamond Sky 9-0, Batista 9-0, Hallow Handsome 8-10, Jung Ju 8-6, Chandi 8-4, Billoo The Great 8-2, Murad King 8-2, Honest minister 8-2 and First Dream 7-10.

Win: First Dream. Place: Murad King and Billoo The Great.

Sukkur Plate Class V Div

II-B 1,200M:

Willhewish 9-0, Shah Rani 8-12, Magic Queen 8-12, Mannan Prince 8-11, Untar 8-8, Dream Act 8-8, Hitler 8-8, Shah Pari 8-6, Tallal The Great 8-5, Jomteen 8-4, Rana Gift 8-4 and Redouble 8-4.

Win: Willhewish. Place: Tallal The Great and Shah Pari.

Sukkur Plate Class V

Div II-A 1,200M:

Good Baby 9-0, Rough Tough 9-0, Zoaq 9-0, Empire Maker 9-0, Moment To Moment 9-0, Run And Win 9-0, War Artist 9-0, Punjabi 9-0, Munsaf 9-0, Trobis Own 9-0, Supersonic 9-0, Scooby Do 8-11 and Shakalaka 8-8.

Win: Empire Maker. Place: Trobis Own and Munsaf.

Sukkur Plate Class V Div I 1,200M:

Trump Coup 9-2, Karam Pey Karam 8-11, Born To Win 8-10, Byron 8-8, Valenday 8-8, Love Story 8-3, Rania 8-3, Zohra Jabeen (II) Shim Jim 8-2, Lucky Cat 8-2, Apex 8-2, Dillagi 8-2 and Grue 8-0.

Win: Lucky Cat. Place: Zohra Jabeen (II) and Karam Pey Karam.

Tandalianwala Plate

Class IV Div 1 & II 1,200M:

Noor 9-0, Dil Vil 9-0, Lucifer 8-8, Desert Prince 8-4, Quwat 8-2, Royal Fish 7-12 and Harry Can View 7-10.

Win: Lucifer. Place: Desert Prince and Dil Vil.

Tandalianwala Plate

Class IV Div II & III 1,200M:

Chill 9-0, Great Murad 8-11, Vendetta 8-2, Don't Follow 8-2, Volcano 8-2, Perfect Promise 7-12, Royal Tradition 7-12 and War Admiral 7-10.

Win: Chill. Place: Vendetta and Royal Tradition.