June 08, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 03, 1429

LAHORE, June 7: Three-year-old colt Punjabi, who registered his maiden victory a fortnight ago, makes his case for a second successive win on the trot during the day/night Lahore Summer Meeting at the Racecourse on Sunday evening.

The son of a prolific sire Beadouin Invader out-of-Fantastic Cute, Punjabi is contesting in the sixth and last race, the Jhelum Plate class VI division I and II combined when a card of six events will be decided for equine sports connoisseurs delight. All races will be contested over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres.

Punjabi’s rider Shahid Rehman would have to be extra vigilant not to let the colt go wide as he did in an earlier outing to win his career’s first race.

On recent form among his opponents, Sweet Lady, Dillagi and Brave Heart could be his probable challengers.

The feature and the fifth race, the Tughluq Plate class five division I and II has 13 runners barring last-minute withdrawals. On track form and performance three look on chance, namely, Munsaf, Magic Stride and Pak Edition. Munsaf did not perform truly on his last outing and his rider Tariq Habib tried to be clever and showed saddle tricks while riding in the company of his master.

Pind De Kuri, Scooby Do, Qasid and Faryal attract attention among the 15 drawn for the fourth race, if there are no last-minute withdrawals in the Jhelum Plate class VI division I-B.

The connections of Scooby Do were hoping against hope of their colt’s win Sunday last but the colt dashed their hopes in the track finishing off the frame. One fails to understand the philosophy of owners, who engage a poor rider, to the level of a novice in the hope to get better odds but lose the race.

Why don’t they engage a good rider and win, even if the odds are short but even then they are the gainer. Some people come to the races to get rich overnight but in the end they return home empty handed. Even in flat races, a horse has many hurdles to cross before the finishing line.

On form Pind De Kuri owned by the Lahore Race Club is a faster filly and should make amends for her defeat the last time out. The rest should fight for the places. Faryal’s stars are very high these days and she may get a place.

Princess Ginza, Dream Act and Tinker Bell look good in the third race. They should fight it out. This is a class VI division III handicap race and the third in racing order.

Dam Dama Dam, Shahbaz Love and Black King are in fine trim at present. The trio should fight for picking up the spoils in the second race.

Yard Arm, Pumey De Jan and Boogy Woogy are the pick of the eight contestants in the first race. They should fight it in the same order. The first race will be held at 5.30pm.

The following is the field and our selections:

JHELUM PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III & IV 1,000M:

Mantar Prince 9-0, Romanella 8-10, Golden Road 8-6, Yard Arm 7-12, Boogy Woogy 7-10, Royal Palace 7-10, Best Owner 7-8, Pumey De Jan 7-8.

Win: Yard Arm.

Place: Boogy Woogy and Pumey De Jan.

JHELUM PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III 1,000M:

Dam Dama Dam 9-0, Untar 9-0, Little Love 8-6, Warid 8-2, Red Baron 7-12, Black King 7-10, Shahbaz Love 7-8, Chocolate Boy 7-8.

Win: Dam Dama Dam.

Place: Black King and Shahbaz Love.

JHELUM PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II 1,000M:

Rough Tough 9-0, Tinker Bell 9-0, Jewna 9-0, Dream Act 9-0, Princess Ginza 9-0, Rang De Basanti 8-12, Fit Fat 8-10, Free Hit 8-6, Dream Memories 8-5, Happy Dancer 7-10.

Win: Princess Ginza.

Place: Dream Act and Tinker Bell.

JHELUM PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I-B 1,000M:

Mughal-e-Azam 9-0, Scooby Do 9-0, Pind De Kuri 9-0, Murad The Great 9-0, Qasid 8-12, Meldy Queen 8-10, Soviet Song 8-10, Amazing Boy 8-10, Magic Queen 8-8, Cheeta Aya 8-4, Darnaz 8-6, Amazonia 8-6, Super Sonic 8-6, Big Choice 8-4, Faryal 8-2.

Win: Pind De Kuri.

Place: Qasid and Scooby Do.

TALAGANG PLATE CLASS V

DIV I & II 1,000M:

Tropical 9-4, Magic Stride 9-4, Noor 9-0, Munsaf 8-10, Perfect Promise 8-6, Emperor 8-0, Zoaq 8-0, King Of Murad 7-8, Diamond Sky 7-8, Pak Edition 7-8, Ikon 7-4, Striker 7-4, Noor-un-Nisa 7-4.

Win: Munsaf.

Place: Magic Stride and Pak Edition.

JHELUM PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I-A 1,000M:

Big Bird 9-2, Philosopher 8-12, Dillagi 8-12, Volcano 8-12, Punjabi 8-12, Pakeeza 8-12, Brave Heart 8-12, High Jet 8-12, Sono Bhai 8-12, Desert Whisper 8-12, Sweet Lady 8-12, Chocolate Sunday 8-8, Nayab 8-8, Mashal 8-8, Sikander 8-8.

Win: Punjabi.

Place: Brave Heart and Sweet Lady.