February 24, 2008	Sunday	Safar 16, 1429

LAHORE, Feb 23: Four-year-old colt Houstan looks all set to continue his winning streak to four in-a-row when the 26th Lahore Winter Meeting gets underway at the Racecourse on Sunday.

The offspring of Bedouin Invader out-of-Golden Opinion, Houstan has so far won three back-to-back races and is still unbeaten. He is contesting in the feature event, the Ghazali Cup, a class five handicap race to be gone over the sprinting distance of 1,200 metres. The colt runs in the silks of Sohrab Khan, who is currently enjoying a profitable season. Named after Imam Ghazali, a renowned Islamic scholar and mystic, the cup is an annual feature since its inception after independence.

Prominent among his rivals in this fourth race of the day are Miss Liza, Empire Maker and Julia Robert.

Five-year-old bay horse Quwat, who was twice beaten in his previous outings, should make amends this time and win the fifth and supporting event, the Samanabad Plate, Class IV, to be contested in the over 1,200 metres distance. A progeny of Bedouin Invader out-of-Early Arrival, Quwat was narrowly beaten on Feb 3.

He should avenge his defeat now. Poly Cat could be his challenger in a small field of seven runners barring last-minute withdrawals.

Five-year-old dark bay colt Sonu Love Zubi, who was beaten by the colt Valenday on Sunday, looks a cut above in class vis-à-vis his six rivals. He has only to beat Karam Pe Karam and Lucky Cat. The Samanabad Plate, Class IV division III event will be the third race in the racing order.

Sonu Love Zubi is owned by Miss Zubaida Rehmat from Karachi and is trained by Abdur Rasheed.

The three-year-old bay colt Hallow Handsome, who registered a facile victory on Feb 13, will be on the trot to make it a two-in-a-row. There is no other contestant as speedy as him among his 13 rivals.

A six-event card has been laid out for the pre-Derby Meeting. In all, 77 runners are taking part in the events, five to be contested in the over 1,200 metres race with the sixth and the last one in the over 1,100 metres distance.

The first race will be held at 1.00pm.

Following are the fields and our selections:

GHAZALI PLATE CLASS V

DIV III 1,200M:

Sabbat Qasam 9-0, Tinker Bell 9-0, Ikon 9-0, Trobis Own 9-0, Pawan Again 9-0, Thanks For Nothing 9-0, Nishat Malook 9-0, Alishba 9-0, Munsaf 9-0, Pak Addition 8-10, Jan-e-Bhakkar 8-6, Authorised 8-6, Dream Memories 8-6, Toyota 8-4, Aaja Bulbul 8-2, Tallal The Great 8-0 and Honest Minister 8-0.

Win: Alishba. Place: Munsaf and Sabbat Qadam.

GHAZALI PLATE CLASS V

DIV II 1,200M:

Hallow Handsome 9-0, Happy Win 9-0, Bright Flame 9-0, Golden Addition 9-0, Shah Pari 9-0, Deja Vau 8-12, Willhewish 8-10, Scooby Do 8-10, Life 8-10, Philosopher 8-10, Heaven’s Heart 8-10, Dubai Fan 8-10, Lighting Muqeem 8-10 and Little Smile 8-6.

Win: Hallow Handsome. Place: Life and Little Smile.

SAMANABAD PLATE CLASS IV

DIV III 1,200M:

Sonu Love Zubi 9-0, Karam Pe Karam 9-0, Lucky Cat 8-12, Royal Destiny 8-10, Lovely Dunit 8-6, War Admiral 8-4 and Royal Fish 7-12.

Win: Sonu Love Zubi. Place: Karam Pe Karam and Lucky Cat.

GHAZALI CUP CLASS V

DIV I 1,200M:

Bold Act 9-0, Volcano 9-0, Dillagi 9-0, Harry Can Run 9-0, Houstan 9-0, Julia Robert 8-12, Trump Coup 8-10, Miss Liza 8-10, Mannan Prince 8-6, Jung Frau 8-4, Royal Storm 8-3, Royal Trigerious 8-3, Empire Maker 8-2, Fernando 8-0, Blitz 8-0, Shock Wave 8-0, Can Can Girl 7-12 and Sweet Lady 7-10.

Win: Houstan. Place: Miss Liza and Julia Robert.

SAMANABAD PLATE CLASS IV

DIV I, II & III 1,200M:

Zanjeer 9-6, Charismatic 8-8, Poly Cat 8-6, Honey Gal 8-2, Quwat 8-2, Harry Can View 7-10 and Chill 7-8.

Win: Quwat. Place: Poly Cat.

CHUNIAN PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I 1,100M:

Weldon 9-2, My Delilah 9-0, Love Minister 8-12, Athena 8-10, Rania 8-10, Freeze 8-10, Little Legend 8-8, Armida 8-7, Divine Jury 8-4, Desert Glow 8-2, Safari 8-2, Babbu The Great 7-10, Dream act 7-6 and Creek Cat 7-6.

Win: Creek Cat. Place: Love minister and My Delilah.