April 20, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1429

LAHORE, April 19: The feature event of the 34th Lahore Winter Meeting looks like an open competition between two fillies — Lovely Dunit and Miss Liza — and two colts — Apex and Vendetta — when a six-event card gets underway at the Racecourse on Sunday.

A showdown between the quartet of sprinting equine stars is expected among the seven runners left in the field for the Okara Plate, a class four event, to be contested in the over 1,200 metres distance. It has aroused great interest among the racing circles for the last but one edition of the on-going meetings.

The bay filly Lovely Dunit, who had three victories to her credit but was beaten by Hallow Handsome last Sunday, is expected to make amends this time around and win the race.

Among her rivals are the chestnut filly Miss Liza, who roared past to a record over eight length’s win on April 6. In an epic tussle, she will be on the trot to complete a hat-trick of victories.

The chestnut colt Vendetta, placed at seven stones and 11 pounds in the weight scales (7-11) also has a good chance to fight with his rivals, the two fillies, on equal terms. Although the fourth one, Apex, is a speedy bay colt, he has a lesser chance of fighting it out with the heavy weights.

Lady Dunit was beaten while carrying nine stones, four pounds, and the heavy impost of weight took its toll on her in the shape of a defeat.

She had lost ground in the earlier part of the race and failed to muster enough strength to take her down the stretch, making her lose by a neck’s margin. She now carries 8-8 in weight scales, which should facilitate her running at a much faster speed.

The supporting event, the Chichawatni Plate, class V, division I, to be gone over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres has eight runners. Of them, only two fillies, Janu and Bright Flame are in contention for picking up the spoils.

On present form, both the fillies should be locked for supremacy on the straight track with fast pace becoming the deciding factor. Still Munir Dar’s Janu seems to have a better chance.

The chestnut colt Pak Edition, who was horribly beaten to third place behind lesser lights Don’t Follow and Koshaliya on March 26, will have to prove his pedigree credentials when contesting the Chichawatni Plate, class V, division II, in the over 1,000 metres race. Will He Wish and Zoaq would be his rivals.

The chestnut colt Big Power, who registered two back-to-back wins in his last outing, would be on the course to complete a hat-trick of victories. Going by their recent form, Honest Minister and Iconic should contest for places.

In this third race, we have a colt Quantico and two fillies Philogyny and Nishat Malook, who are still untried maidens.

In the sixth and last race, the Bahawalpur Plate, class VI, Division 1-B, run over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres, the filly Noor-un-Nisa looks good to have the better of her 10 rivals. Rough Tough, Princess Ginza and Big Choice may also fight for the frame.

The opener is a match between the filly Chimera and the mare Cleopatra but, true to her proverbial character, Cleopatra has up until now been deceiving her backers, not winning even once during the season.

Six events have been carded for the day’s programme, five of them will be contested in the over 1,000 metres distance while there will be one over 1,200 metres. The first race will be held at 1.30pm.

Following are the fields and our selections:

BAHAWALPUR PLATE

CLASS VI DIV II 1,000M:

Stride To Moment 9-2, Freet Hit 9-0, Love Minister 9-0, Bashayeash Prince 9-0, Divine Jury 9-0, Cleopatra 8-10, Chimera 8-10, Mera Nawab 8-0, Sharoon Prince 8-0 and Faryal 7-12.

Win: Chimera.

Place: Cleopatra and Faryal.

CHICHAWATNI PLATE

CLASS V DIV II 1,000M:

Will He Wish 9-2, Pak Edition 9-0, Pick Of The Day 8-12, Mythical Flight 8-10, Dejavau 8-10, Chinkara 8-10, Zoaq 8-10, Munsaf 8-6, Royal Passion 8-6, Secret Passion 8-6 and Harry Can Run 8-2.

Win: Pak Edition.

Place: Zoaq and Will He Wish.

BAHAWALPUR PLATE

CLASS VI DIV I-A 1,000M:

Big Power 9-0, Quantico 9-0, Philogyny 9-0, Pretty Princess 9-0, Striker 9-0, Victory Gallop 9-0, Honest Minister 8-11, Aaja Bulbul 8-10, Iconic 8-10 and Nishat Malook 8-10.

Win: Big Power.

Place Honest Minister and Iconic.

CHICHAWATNI PLATE

CLASS V DIV I 1,000M:

Bright Flame 9-0, Emperor 8-12, Janu 8-12, Can Can Girl 8-6, Dubai Fan 8-6, Alishba 8-6, Dillagi 8-6 and Don’t Follow.

Win: Janu.

Place: Don’t Follow and Bright Flame.

OKARA PLATE CLASS IV

DIV I, II & III 1,200M:

Lucky Winner 9-4, Apex 9-0, Lovely Dunit 8-8, Miss Liza 8-2, Vendetta 7-11, Lucky Cat 7-8 and Noor 7-8.

Win: Lovely Dunit.

Place: Vendetta and Miss Liza.

BAHAWALPUR PLATE

CLASS VI DIV I-B 1,000M:

Rough Tough 9-0, Tripple Star 9-0, Regent 8-12, Arzoo 8-12, Love story 8-10, Thanks For Nothing 8-10, Princess Ginza 8-10, Noor-un-Nisa 8-10, Mutajir 8-10, Little Love 8-6 and Big Choice 8-0.

Win: Noor-un-Nisa.

Place: Big Choice and Princess Ginza.