June 15, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 10, 1429

KARACHI, June 14: Having won his last outing with ease, eight-year-old chestnut Desert Hawk enjoys an edge over his opponents and is tipped to land the feature event in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Promoted to class IV and V division I and II following four-and-a-half lengths win under rider Arshad on June 1, Desert Hawk has come out with a shining performance so far and is likely to repeat the winning feat to make it two on the trot.

In all, eight contestants will approach the starting gate in the five furlongs sixth and last race on the card, barring last minute withdrawals. Filly Moon Baby and colt The Ghazan Prince comes in reckoning for the places.

Similarly, three-year-old bay filly Blassom is fancied to make it a two-in-a-row should she return with flying colours in the opener which is also the supporting event.

She galloped to a splendid eight furlongs victory in top division of class VII in the June 1 outing with rider Tariq Baran astride. Her form has made her head and shoulder above the rest in the field.

Jointly owned by Miss Zainab Ali and Kamal Farooq, the filly is likely to be challenged by bay Mannan Prince and mare Closing Argument.

The second race should be a close affair between bay Captain Cook and bay Prince Shahzad, both saddled by M. Aslam Khan.

Though Prince Shahzad had a good run last weekend where he settled for second half-a-length behind Make Millions, we fancy Captain Cook to make amends by picking up the spoils.

The two should be chased by mare Royal Loyalty for a place.

Six-year-old bay mare Mixed Blessing is poised to atone for the two successive losses by claiming the next race. She is the stable-mate of Blassom and both are saddled by trainer M. Mazhar.

She is likely to be chased by bay New Ferrari and bay Daruwala.

Nine-year-old bay Lucky Gem and three-year-old bay colt Speed Of Arab looks fancied to land the remaining two races.

If filly Marhaba is on song it should upset all calculations in the fourth race.

A card of six races, all going over five furlongs, has been drawn for the day. The first race starts at 2.30pm.

Following is the field and our selections:

THE DIAMOND PLATE CLASS VI 5F:

Voo Doo Doll 9-0, Santa Fee 8-13, Blassom 8-11, Arab Hi Arab 8-10, Closing Argument 8-9, Leopard Of Arab 8-7, Manan Prince 8-6, Dark Secret 8-5, Temptation 7-12.

Win: Blassom.

Place: Manan Prince and Closing Argument.

THE BLUE SEA PLATE DIV V

CLASS VII 5F:

Chicken Soup 9-0, Hello Again 9-0, Paidagiree 9-0, Marista 8-12, Qandhar 8-11, Royal Loyalty 8-8, Prince Shahzad 7-12, Captain Cook 7-11, Shah Sawar 7-10, Rashk-e-Rawan 7-10, Racing Leader 7-10.

Win: Captain Cook.

Place: Prince Shahzad and Royal Loyalty.

THE BLUE SEA PLATE DIV IV

CLASS VII 5F:

Muktadar 9-0, Raj Kumari 8-12, Mixed Blessing 8-11, Love Pakistan 8-11, Jaguar 8-9, Queen Of Kinjher 8-8, Daruwala 8-5, New Ferrari 8-4, Al Zarrar 7-13.

Win: Mixed Blessing.

Place: New Ferrari and Daruwala.

THE BLUE SEA PLATE DIV III CLASS VII 5F:

Princess Rozi 9-0, Sweetie Pie 9-0, Lucky Gem 8-3, Marhaba 8-2, Again Of Arab 8-2, Persian Blue 7-12, Dream Prince 7-10, Guess Its Me 7-10.

Win: Lucky Gem.

Place: Sweetie Pie and Guess Its Me.

THE BLUE SEA PLATE DIV II

CLASS VII 5F:

Speed Of Arab 9-0, Sugar Sweet 8-13, Paidagir 8-12, Dilruba 8-9, Awan Hi Awan 8-9, Samreen 8-4.

Win: Speed Of Arab.

Place: Dilruba.

THE MADAM PLATE CLASS IV

AND V DIV I AND II 5F:

Afroze Jehan 9-4, Spice Of Arab 8-12, Taiz Per 8-6, Moon Baby 8-2, Black Girl 8-2, Desert Hawk 8-2, The Ghazan Prince 8-0, The Princess Arab 7-8.

Win: Desert Hawk.

Place: Moon Baby and The Ghazan Prince.

DAY’S BEST: Desert Hawk.

GOOD DOUBLE: Blassom and Lucky Gem.