February 17, 2008	Sunday	Safar 09, 1429

LAHORE, Feb 16: A strong turnout of the cream of the country’s thoroughbreds is all set to take part in the Pakistan Derby Trials 2008, to be raced in the over 2,000 metres distance at the Racecourse on Sunday.

The event, a term race for three and four-year-old Pakistani colts and fillies, is billed as a noted trial for the March 2 Pakistan Derby, to be contested in the gruelling distance of over 2,400 metres.

A long-awaited classic battle for supremacy between seven colts and two fillies, including one champion colt and filly from Karachi, reaches its befitting climax when the 25th Lahore winter meeting gets underway, on Feb 17.

With arrays of Pakistani thoroughbreds jostling for supremacy while attracting a large crowd, the meeting features two cup events — the Bin Qasim Cup, besides the Derby Trials — promising the very best racing action of three and four-year-old thoroughbreds to the great delight of equine sports connoisseurs from all over Pakistan. It would be a festive occasion, the likes of which is seldom seen, except for the classic Derby, scheduled a fortnight later.

The beauty of the current year’s race is that it has all the top Derby contenders measuring strides with each other, when none of them has ever run a race beyond the 1,600 metres distance. Of the nine runners representing the major stables of the country, six are colts and three fillies. Prominent among them are Headingly, Lucifer, Fair Diamond and Brave Act. Of these Headingly, the racing jewel of Lahore, and Fair Diamond, Karachi’s racing diamond, have dominated the scene during the ongoing racing calendar. They are both high profile, spirited and courageous colts.

Classification in horseracing carries more importance than timing and handicap. Speed alone is not enough to humble classification. Then the horse too must be fast as well as fit, destined to go over the required distance at a competitive pace. Headingly and Fair Diamond possess all these qualities.

Citing an old saying, many at the Racecourse carry the superstition that the horse who wins the Derby Trails fails to achieve the distinction of winning the Derby itself. But there have been many examples of colts and fillies winning laurels in both events.

Three-year-old colt Armaan looks a strong contender in the Bin Qasim Cup, a term race for three-year-old colts and fillies to be contested in the sprinting distance of over 1,200 metres.

This is considered the first milestone in the life of the three-year-olds.

Of the nine runners, Armaan looks the best to be followed by Rag To Riches, Dixie and Vendetta.A card of seven events will go through on Sunday afternoon. Five races will be contested in the over 1,200 metres, one in the over 1,600 metres and one over 2,000 metres category.

The first race will be held at 12.30pm

Following are the fields and our selections:

LASBELA PLATE CLASS V DIV II 1,200M:

Victory Hero 9-0, Mannan Prince 8-12, Empire Maker 8-10, Can Can Girl 8-10, War Admiral 8-8, Great H 8-8, Don’t Follow 8-8, Janu 8-6, Shah Pari 8-6, Byron 8-6, Wonderful Smile 8-4, Deja Vou 8-4, Willhewish 8-2 and Scooby Do 8-2.

Win: Wonderful Smile. Place: Mannan Prince and Can Can Girl.

LASBELA PLATE CLASS V DIV I-A 1,200M:

Karam Pey Karam 9-2, Dillagi 9-0, Born To Win 9-0, Miss Liza 9-0, Legend 8-12, Home Star 8-8, Baker Love 8-7, Fernando 8-6, Daylami 8-6, Blitz 8-6, Shock Wave 8-6, Emperor 8-6 and Gulf Time 8-6.

Win: Miss Liza. Place: Karam Pey Karam and Baker Love.

FRONTIER PLATE CLASS IV DIV I, II & II 1,600M:

Valenday 9-0, Harry Can View 9-0, Noor 8-10, Sonu

Love Zubi 8-4, Sharp Burg 8-2, Harry Can Run 7-10, Royal Fish 7-10, Volcano 7-10, Run And Win 7-10 and bold Act 7-8.

Win: Sharp Burg. Place: Sonu Love Zubi and Harry Can View.

BIN QASIM CUP, A TERM RACE FOR

THREE-YEAR-OLD PAKISTANI COLTS

AND FILLIES 1,200M:

Armaan 8-7, Vandetta 8-7, Rag To Riches 8-4, Dixie 8-4, Diamond Sky 8-4, Melody Queen 7-11, Bright Flame 7-11, My Delilalh 7-11 and Pick Of The Day 7-11.

Win: Armaan. Place: Dixie and Rag To Riches.

PAKISTAN DERBY TRIALS, A TERM RACE FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLD COLTS AND FILLIES 2,000M:

Desert Prince 8-10, Headingly 8-10, Lucifer 8-10, Kiss Of Luck 8-10, Fair Diamond 8-10, Royal Tradition 8-10, Mythical 8-7, Brave Act 8-7 and Fantastic Baby 8-7.

Win: Headingly. Place: Lucifer and Brave Act. Upset: Fair Diamond.

LASBELA PLATE CLASS V DIV III 1,200M:

Thanks For Nothing 9-0, Heaven’s Heart 9-0, Jo Jo Gift 9-0, Dubai Fan 9-0, Houstan 9-0, Tinker Bell 9-0, Divine Jury 9-0, Philosopher 9-0, Mythical Flight 9-0, Nishat Look 9-0, Lighting Mqueem 9-0, Gold Addition 9-0, Gold Medalist 8-10, Pak Addition 8-10, Love Story 8-10, Munsaf 8-10, Toyota 8-8 and Alishba 8-7.

Win: Houstan. Place: Munsaf and Toyota.

LASBELA PLATE CLASS V DIV IV 1,200M:

Sabbat Qadam 9-0, Mutajar 9-0, Zubair Prince 9-0, Jan-e-Bhakkar 8-10, Grue 8-10, Last Option 8-10, Authirised 8-10, Dream Memories 8-10, Sweet Lady 8-8, Sun Downer 8-8, Aaja Bulbul 8-8, Tallal The Great 8-6, Gold Mine 8-6, Honest Minister 8-6, War Artist 8-6, Bashaayeash Prince 8-6 and Rough Tough 8-4.

Win: Sweet Lady. Place: Aaja Bulbul and Tallal The Great.