May 07, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1, 1429

LAHORE, May 6: Four-year-old bay filly Iconic, who registered a facile victory last Sunday will be on the trot to make it a two-in-a-row when the midweek day/night Lahore Gymkhana races get underway at the Racecourse on Wednesday.

The filly from Power Base out-of-Desert Breeze, Iconic, breezed past her 10 rivals to win the race by about six lengths.

Love Minister and stable-mate Blitz could be her close rivals. The over 1,000 metres long Chakwal Plate, class VI, division I will be the fourth race in the racing order.

There will be an unknown pedigree horses galore as the vast majority of runners at the midweek races belongs to this category.

There are eight acceptors for the supporting and first race, the Chakwal Plate class VI, division II run in the over 1,000 metres distance and going by their recent form and performance, Armida, Rang De Basanti and Jewna look on chance. Of them, Armida, after her victory on Sunday, is expected to perform better with the running ground conditions being much to her liking.

In the second race, Mama Mia, Shah Rani and Dam Dama Dam look good in a small field of seven runners. Mama Mia, who was placed third on her last outing, should make amends this time by winning the race.

Sher-e-Lahore, Sona and Dimple are looking good in the 14-strong field for the over 1,000 metres Chakwal Plate, class VI, division IV race. On classification, Sher-e-Lahore looks a better proposition. Sona and Dimple may be his challengers along with Weldon Shogun, if he takes a level start.

Dark bay colt Best Owner was the most promising winner last Wednesday and if things go his way this time as well, there is no reason why he shouldn’t make it a two-in-a-row. Still, to make his task difficult, Khan Baba and Mah-e-Noor will be the constant thorns in his side in the fifth race of the day.

Silent Assassin, Kiss Of Love and Mera Chan look good in the sixth race, keeping in view their past performance.

Three-year-old Silent Assassin was placed third, behind Khan Baba and Sana in the over 1,000 metres race on March 26. She had since then had some problem which had kept her off the track. Although it is being said that she is back to normal now, it is still wise to wait and watch.

There are 17 in form runners in the seventh and the last race of the day. Of them Azeem Prince, Waqas Prince and Sana are on chance. Race goers can expect to see a good fight for supremacy between two princes among horses.

Meanwhile the Lahore Race Club (LRC) has increased the entry ticket price by 50 per cent. The club will now charge Rs150 per person instead of Rs100. A notification issued by the LRC said the increase will be effective from May 7. A card of seven races will be decided. In view of the persisting hot and humid weather in the provincial capital, the time for holding the first race has now been changed to 4.30pm.

The following is the field and our selections:

CHAKWAL PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II 1,000M:

Rang De Basanti 9-2, Golden Road 9-0, Aaja Bulbul 9-0, Remember You 8-10, Armida 8-6, Darnaz 8-6, Jewna 8-5, Creek Cat 7-10.

Win: Armida.

Place: Jewna and Rang De Basanti.

CHAKWAL PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III 1,000M:

Lady Grey 9-0, Damdama Dam 8-10, Hikmat 8-6, Boogy Woogy 8-6, Shah Rani 8-2, Mama Mia 8-0, Great Rhythm 7-10.

Win: Mama Mia.

Place: Hikmat and Shah Rani.

Chakwal Plate Class VI

Div IV 1,000M:

Weldon Shogun 9-2, Sher-e-Lahore 8-12, Sun Shine 8-10, Net Cash 8-10, Shahbaz Love 8-10, Sona 8-4,

Chocolate Boy 8-2, Dimple 8-0, Lucky Star 7-10, Malang Aya 7-10, Loashay (ex-Nawa-e-Sehar) 7-10, Black King 7-8, Yard Arm 7-8, Company 7-8.

Win: Sher-e-Lahore.

Place: Sona and Dimple.

CHAKWAL PLATE CLASS VI

DIV 1 1000M:

Iconic 9-0, Harry Can Run 8-10, Pretty Princess 8-

10, Hamza Prince 8-10, Love Minister 8-8, Honest Minister 8-7, Amazing Boy 8-6, Love Story 8-6, Regent 8-6, Blitz 8-4.

Win: Iconic.

Place: Love Minister and Blitz.

LANDHI PLATE CLASS VII DIV I 900M:

Golden Tree 9-0, Majid Love 9-0, Cliente 9-0, San My Love 9-0, Senorita 8-10, Gojra Choice 8-10, Naseeban Wali 8-10, Gentleman 8-10, Ranjha 8-10, Best Owner 8-6, Khan Baba 8-6, Mah-e-Noor 8-6, Faizaan Prince 8-6, Unique 8-6, Basant Mayla 8-6, Hurry Up 8-6, Snow Fall 8-6, Shandar 8-0.

Win: Best Owner.

Place: Mah-e-Noor and Khan Baba.

LANDHI PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 900M:

Malangni Aie 9-0, Morni 9-0, One Pari 9-0, Sawan Ki Bahar 9-0, Silent Assassin 9-0, Kiss Of Love 8-10, Miss Karina 8-10, Rokrra 8-8, Mera Chan 8-8, Manmoji 8-6, Parwana 8-6, Sherry Baba 8-6, Independence Day 8-6, Muskan 8-4, Rajwali 8-2, Mere Lal 8-2, Pretty 7-10.

Win: Silent Assassin.

Place: Kiss Of Love and Mera Chan.

LANDHI PLATE CLASS VII

DIV III 900M:

Bagh-o-Bahar 9-0, Sohna Noor 9-0, Waqas Prince 9-0, Sana Choice 9-0, Sohail 8-10, Porsche 8-10, Lucky Boy 8-10, Sana 8-10, Sohna Murad 8-6, Azeem Prince 8-6, Nazi Gulshan 8-0, Naseer Love 8-0, Taqdeer-e-Chakkar 8-0, Lal Pari 7-8, Kundan 7-8, Sohni Bulbul 7-8, Pattola 7-6.

Win: Waqas Prince/Azeem Prince.

Place: Sana and Taqdeer-e-Bhakkar.