January 20, 2008	Sunday	Muharram 10, 1429

LAHORE, Jan 19: With arrays of star Pakistani thoroughbreds jostling for supremacy and attracting the customary bumper crowd’s attention, the 21ist Lahore Winter Meeting at the Racecourse on Monday will feature three cup events promising the very best of horse racing action.

The meeting previously scheduled for Sunday had been postponed for a day in view of the sanctity of the 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram-Ashura.

The main event, the Epsom Cup, a class I, II and III handicap race to be gone over the 1,400 metres distance carries a strong national flavour thanks to the participation of two fillies — Eswara and Fantastic Baby — from Karachi who will be measuring strides for the top honours with the three colts Headingly, Janu Manu and Gold Krik.

However, not much can be expected from Eswara and Fantastic Baby on their maiden appearance against the local acceptors, who have been tracking well here. The colt from Bletch Dancer out of Shatin, Headingly looks best in this group of seven runners.

This race would provide visitors with an opportunity to witness quality racing with the country’s top performers in pulsating action among the thoroughbreds. That coupled with the weather forecast for a sunny Monday afternoon will enhance the festival-like atmosphere along with everyone’s mood in the sixth race of the day’s seven-event card.

The supporting event, the Universal Cup, a class IV division I and II handicap race to be contested in the over 1,400 metres distance, has 11 runners, barring last-minute withdrawals.

Going by the recent performances of the acceptors, two fillies and a colt look good. They are Mythical, Honey Gal and Royal Tradition. Since Honey Gal has a liking for the distance, she will have a slight edge over the speedy Mythical and Royal Tradition. The competition, however, will be tough.

Handsome Hope, Lucky Cat, Jung Frau and Valenday are the pick of the 13-strong field for the Qutub-ud-Din Aibak Cup, a class five race in the over 1,400 metres disance. Since the quartet is meeting for the first time, it would be difficult to predict a winner. Much will depend on the rider’s skills in this race. Still, on timing, Handsome Hope looks like a better prospect to be picking up the spoils in the fourth race of the card.

The cup event, named after the slave dynasty king Qutub-ud-Din Aibak, who is stated to have died while playing Chaugan (Polo) in the Lahore Polo Club ground, the site of the LRC’s old complex on Gulberg Road, is a regular annual feature in Lahore’s racing calendar.

Legend Sattar, Shim Jim and Mirana Choice look good in the third race. They should be finishing in the same order too.

Munsaf, Redouble and Stride To Moment are prominent among the 16 runners drawn for the second race. The race distance of 1,400 metres goes in favour of Redouble. But Munsaf, if ridden by a good rider, will not be bowing out easily.

Alishba, Mid Night Fury and Umar Prince are looking set to fight for the spoils in the opener to be contested in the over 1,000 metres distance.

The owner named his horse Alishba after the famous American colt Alyshiba, who won the greatest amount in stake money, ever, in USA, totalling $6,679,242 before retiring to stud in 1988.

A card of seven races will be decided in the afternoon. The first and the last race will be contested over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres. Four will is to be held in the over 1,400 metres distance and one in the over 1,600 metres.

Following are the fields and our selections:

Multan Plate Class VI Div I 1,000M:

Alishba 9-2, Dream Act 9-0, Darnaz 9-0, Mid Night Fury 9-0, Umar Prince 9-0, Amazing Boy 8-10, Batista 8-10 and Sohna Billoo 8-10.

Win: Alishba. Place: Umar Prince and Mid Night Fury.

Qutub-ud-Din Aibak Plate

Class V Div II 1,400M:

Stride To Moment 9-0, My Delilah 9-0, Munsaf 9-0, Miss Lizza 9-0, Super Sonic 9-0, High Jet 9-0, Safari 9-0, Dream Prince 9-0, Zoaq 9-0, Magic Queen 8-10, Willhewish 8-6, Weldon 8-4, Shah Rani 8-2, Cheeta Aya 8-2, Rana Gift 8-0 and Redouble 8-0.

Win: Munsaf. Place: Stride To Moment and Redouble.

Qutub-ud-Din Aibak Plate

Class V Div I & II 1,400M:

Authorised 9-0, Dream Memories 9-0, Shim Jim 8-13, Run And Win 8-12, Dillagi 8-10, Rania 8-10, Majestic Desert 8-10, Love Story 8-10, Red Hot Fire 8-10, War Artist 8-10, Apex 8-10, Grue 8-10, Legend Sattar 8-8 and Mirana Choice 8-7.

Win: Legend Sattar. Place: Mirana Choice and Shim Jim.

Qutub-ud-Din Cup Class V Div I 1,400M:

War Admiral 9-0, Lucky Cat 9-0, Handsome Hope 9-0, Don’t Follow 9-0, Spiritual Song 8-10, Emperor 8-10, Jung Frau 8-10, Big Bird 8-6, Magic Stone 8-6, Mannan Prince 8-6, Life 8-6, Valenday 8-4 and Candy Candy 8-3.

Win: Handsome Hope. Place: Jung Frau and Lucky Cat.

Universal Cup Class IV

Div I & II 1,400M:

Tuman Khan 9-2, Noor 8-8, Honey Gal 8-8, Dil Vil 8-8, Mythical 8-8, Diamond In Dust (ex-Gujrat Princess) 8-6, Royal Tradition 8-4, Discovery 8-2, Royal Fish 7-12, Chill 7-11 and Harry Can View 7-10.

Win: Honey Gal. Royal Tradition and Mythical.

Epsom Cup

Class I, II & III 1,600M:

Eswara 9-10, Gold Krik 9-4, Fantastic Baby 9-0, Kiss Of Luck 8-8, Headingly 8-4, Janu Manu 8-0 and Lucky Winner 7-10.

Win: Headingly. Place: Gold Krik and Janu Manu.

Multan Plate Class VI

Div I & II 1,000M:

Look My Luck 9-0, Arabian Sea 9-0, Billoo The Great 9-0, Honest Minister 8-10, The News 8-10, Love Minister 8-8, So Romantic 8-2, Creek Cat 8-2 First Dream 7-12 and Sher Khan 7-10.

Win: Billoo The Great. Place: Honest Minister and First Dream.