April 09, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 2, 1429

LAHORE, April 8: The five-year-old chestnut horse Al Ain with an impressive victory to his credit, looks all set to make it a two-in-a-row in the feature event during the midweek day/night Lahore Gymkhana races at the Racecourse on Wednesday.

Contesting in the Kharian Plate, class VI, division II to be gone over the sprinting distance of 1,100 metres, Al Ain has a splendid seven length’s win to his credit in division III of the same class, contested in the over 900 metres distance. The chestnut has all the plus points that can go in his favour to make it two straight wins for him on form, handicap as well as distance, provided things go his way.

The connections have another runner in Jewna, who not showing recent form, has rapidly come down in handicap. Sun Ray and Murad King are consistently on the board too.

Another, Lady Grey, who made her debut last Wednesday, is a fine pedigree mare but like Jewna, could not create a spark. This will be the fourth race of the day.

First Passion, Dream Land and Sun Shine look good in the supporting and fifth race, the Kharian Plate, class VI, division III in the over 1,100 metres distance. They should be fighting for top honours in the same order too.

Five-year-old bay mare Mama Mia, who put up a dismal show frustrating her owner’s confidence last week, should make amends this time and win the race, the Kharian Plate, class VI, division IV to be contested over the sprinting distance of 1,100 metres. Hikmat and Dimple should be her challengers.

Seven-year-old chestnut filly Lal Pari, who disappointed her fans on her previous outing, should oblige them this time. Kashif Da Gulshan, Trigger Happy and Don’t Touch Me should fight for less remunerative positions in the third race

Rajwali, Rokrra and Sana are the pick of the 15 runners barring last-minute with-

drawals. The first named is speedier than the others.

The first race comprises 18 competitors; of them over half a dozen are on chance. That makes it an open affair. Khan Baba, who in his last outing slipped to the third spot after heading the field for over 700 metres should perform better this time. Sherni and Mah-e-Noor should be his close rivals.

Keeping in mind Lahore’s changing weather that is becoming hotter by the day, the Lahore Race Club (LRC) stewards have decided to opt for day/night races. The first race will be held at 4.30pm.

The following is the field and our selections:

LODHRAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV I 1,000M:

King’s UK 9-0, Koail 9-0, Sawan Ki Bahar 9-0, One Pari 9-0, Sherry Baba 9-0, Banjaran 9-0, Red Baron 8-12, Khan Baba 8-12, Mera Chan 8-10, Sherni 8-10, Geo Super 8-10, Pawan Princess 8-10, Leader’s Wing 8-10, Polo Lounge 8-10, Sana Choice 8-10, Parwana 8-10, Mah-e-Noor 8-6, Shahbaz Love 8-0.

Win: Khan Baba.

Place: Sherni and Mah-e-Noor.

LODHRAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 1,000M:

Better Time 9-0, Kiss Of Love 9-0, Chocolate Boy 9-0, Best Owner 9-0, Rokrra 9-0, Independence Day 9-0, Rajwali 8-12, Porsche 8-10, Mere Lal 8-6, Azeem Prince (ex-Lucky Bhakkar) 8-6, Nazi Gulshan 8-6, Shandar 8-4, Waqas Prince 8-4, Sana 7-13, Sohna Noor 7-10.

Win: Rajwali.

Place: Rokrra and Sana.

LODHRAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV III 1,000M:

Smiling Assassin 9-0, Don’t Touch Me 9-0, Alpha Juliet 8-10, Kipshah Gulshan 8-2, Taqdeer-e-Bhakkar 8-2, Lal Pari 8-0, Billoo Love 7-12, Trigger Happy 7-10, Muskan 7-10, Tarrar Choice 7-10, Kashif Da Gulshan 7-10, Pattola 7-8.

Win: Lal Pari.

Place: Kashif Da Gulshan and Don’t Touch Me.

KHARIAN PLATE CLASS VI DIV II 1,100M:

Mere Nawab 9-0, Jewna 8-12, Murad King 8-12, Dream Catcher 8-10, Faryal 8-10, Lady Grey 8-8, Venus 8-8, Armida 8-5, Sun Ray 8-4, Al Ain 8-2, Lighting Muqeem 8-2.

Win: Al Ain.

Place: Sun Ray and Murad King.

KHARIAN PLATE CLASS VI DIV III 1,100M:

Nut Cracker 9-0, First Passion 9-0, Lucky Coin 8-12, Dream Land 8-12, Warid 8-12, Geo Bhakkar 8-12, Weldon Shogun 8-8, Sun Shine 8-6, Tosca 8-4, Sher-e-Lahore 8-0.

Win: First Passion.

Place: Sun Shine and Dream Land.

KHARIAN PLATE CLASS VI DIV IV 1,100M:

White Oaks 9-0, High Hope 9-0, Hikmat 9-0, Mama Mia 8-8, Great Rhythm 8-4, Dimple 8-2, Khan The Great 7-10, Happy Bear 7-8.

Win: Mama Mia.

Place: Hikmat and Dimple.