March 05, 2008	Wednesday	Safar 26, 1429

LAHORE, March 4: Five-year-old chestnut horse Al Ain, who registered a facile victory last Wednesday, will be on the trot to make it a two-in-a-row during the midweek Lahore Gymkhana races at the Racecourse on Wednesday.

He is contesting in the second race, the Karachi Plate class VI division III to be gone over the sprinting distance of 900 metres. The chestnut ran a good race on Feb 27 to win by a big margin of eight lengths against Total Price.

He has now been promoted a division higher and still looks better pitched against his seven opponents. Tosca and Great Khan would be fighting for a place too.

Total Price, Geo Bhakkar and Dimple look good in the third race, the Karachi Plate class VI division IV, run over the distance of 900 metres. They should finish in the same order too. But Total Prince has an advantage due to his speed.

The trio Bashaesh Prince, Umer Prince and Shah Rani also attract attention in the fight for the top honours in the fourth race, the main event of the day. But having had a trial run on the track already, Umer prince has an advantage over them all.

Barring last-minute withdrawals, the first race has the largest number of acceptors. Three amongst them, namely, Cleopatra, Big Choice and Sun Ray are on chance in respect of their recent performances and form.

The dark bay Love Affair is a high pedigree filly but she will be on the track after a long absence. Previously she ran in the colours of Lahore Race Club’s (LRC) chairman Tariq Aziz, who sold her off. The filly has yet to win a race for her new owner.

God Gift, Hikmat and Mah-e-Noor look good to pick up the spoils in the fifth race. They should be finishing in the given order.

Rajwali, Bagh-o-Bahar and Sana are the pick of the 14-strong field in the sixth race. Rajwali, who was beaten in her previous outing, should make amends by winning this time.

The seventh and the last race has 10 runners kicked down in the handicap to the lowest division of class VII division III. Prominent among them are: Kiss Of Luck, Sohna Noor, Cash Deposit and Billal Love. They should be fighting for the spoils.

A seven-event card has been drawn in the midweek races, all to be contested in the sprinting distance of over 900 metres. In all, 84 acceptors are to take part in the events, barring last-minute withdrawals. The first race will be held at 1.00pm.

Following is the field and our selections:

KARACHI PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II 900M:

Armida 9-0, Love Affair 9-0, Darnaz 9-0, Divine Jury 8-12, Jageerdarni 8-10, Safari 8-10, Dream Prince 8-10, Cleopatra 8-8, Dream 8-6, Big Choice 8-6, Sun Raqy 8-4, Pumey de Jaqn 8-4, Sher-e-Lahore 8-2, Big Power 8-0 and Lucky Coin 7-10.

Win: Cleopatra.

Place: Sun Ray and Big Choice.

KARACHI PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III 900M:

Rang De Basanti 9-2, Tosca 9-2, Weldon Shogun 9-0, Sun Shine 8-6, Great Rhythm 8-6, Al Ain 8-2, Red Fairy 8-2 and Great Khan 8-2.

Win: Al Ain.

Place: Great Khan and Tosca.

KARACHI PLATE CLASS VI

DIV IV 900M:

Total Price 9-2, Pick Of The Day 9-0, Khan The Great 9-0, Mama Mia 9-0, Victory King 8-8, Best Owner 8-4, Al Dar 8-0, Geo Bhakkar 8-0, Black King 8-0, Dogar Gift 7-10, Dimple 7-8 and Gold Dust 7-8.

Win: Total Price.

Place: Dimple and Geo Bhakkar.

KARACHI PLATE CLASS VI DIV I 900M:

Aaja Bulbul 9-0, Sohna Shahbaz 9-0, Bashaesh Prince 9-0, Umer Prince 8-6, Dream Memories 8-6, Shah Rani 8-4, Athena 8-2, Freeze 8-2, Rania 8-2, High Jet 8-2 and Warid 8-0.

Win: Umer Prince.

Place: Aaja Bulbul and Bashaesh Prince.

CHAKWAL PLATE CLASS VII

DIV I 900M:

God Gift 9-2, Miss Mano 9-2, Mere Lal 9-0, Don’t Touch Me 9-0, Red Baron 9-0, Hikmat 9-0, Mah-e-Noor 9-0, Golden Falcon 8-10, Blank Cheque 8-10, Sana Love 8-10, Sherni 8-10, Silent Assassin 8-10, Leader’s Wing 8-8 and pure Power 8-6.

Win: God Gift.

Place: Mah-e_Noor and Hikmat.

CHAKWAL PLATE CLASS VII

DIV II 900M:

Rajwali 9-2, Baghj-o-Bahar 9-0, Smiling Assassin 8-10, Rokra 8-8, Tasweer-e-Bhakkar 8-6, Pretty 8-4, Taqdeer-e-Bhakkar 8-2, Alpha Julite 7-12, Aman 7-12, Anarkali 7-12, Bioactive 7-10, Sia Prinda 7-8, Little Love 7-8 and Sana 7-8.

Win: Rajwali.

Place: Bagh-o-Bahar and Sana.

CHAKWAL PLATE CLASS VII

DIV III 900M:

Summaya 9-0, Naseer Love 9-0, Sohna Noor 8-6, Kiss Of Love 8-6, Mansha Love 8-6, Sohni Bulbul 7-12, Cash Deposit 7-12, Billal Love 7-12, Golden Queen 7-12 and Pukar 7-12.

Win: Billal Love.

Place: Kiss Of Love and Cash Deposit.