July 06, 2008	Sunday	Rajab 2, 1429

LAHORE, July 5: Three-year-old colt Velocity, who belongs to a prominent bloodline of speed masters, will be on the course to make it a two in-a-row when the day/night Lahore Summer Meeting gets underway at the Racecourse on Sunday evening.

The chestnut colt from Vitellozzi out-of-Gambling Princess, Velocity is contesting in the sixth and last race to go over the 1,100 metres distance. The colt has already scored an easy victory on June 22 in the over-1,000 metres race. Although the time recorded was not fast enough for a horse of his calibre, the style of victory was truly that of a classic horse.

Judging him by that running, race fans can pin their hopes on him in the class five, division 1 and II combined.

Munsaf, Arzoo, Handsome Hope and Run And Win too can fight for places on the board.

In the supporting event, Shahdara Plate, class VI, division I-A, the four-year-old filly Snow Fall will be going all out to stretch her winning streak to four in-a-row. The unknown filly, owned by Mian Mohammad Ashraf has already performed a hat-trick of victories and she showed much improvement on each outing although her strength like her pedigree credentials remains unknown.

Big Bird, Dillagi, Brave Heart and Sweet Lady may fight for places too.

The fourth race, the Shahdara Plate, class VI, division I-B has 10 runners, if there are no last-minute withdrawals. Murad The Great and Last Option look good on form and Shoch Wave who belongs to a better bloodline may give everyone a surprise.

The first three events are packed with runners not known for their recent form. Such events are normally won by either the favourite horses or flukes. But it all depends upon the condition in which they have been sent out by their respective stables.

A card of six events will be decided in the day/night meeting. In all, 57 contestants will be vying for supremacy, barring last-minute withdrawals. The first five races will be contested in the over 800 metres distance while the sixth and last one will be go over the 1,100 metres distance. The first race will be held at 5.30pm.

The following are the fields and our selections:

SHAHDARA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV IV 800M:

Noor Pari 9-0, Mera Chan 9-0, Regent 8-10, Weldon Shogun 8-6, Chocolate Boy 8-4, Malang Aya 7-10, White Oaks 7-8 and Red Fairy 7-8.

Win: Mera Chan.

Place: Chocolate Boy and Regent.

SHAHDARA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III 800M:

Free Hit 9-0, Little Love 9-0, Venus 9-0, Lubna 8-10, First Passion 8-10, Dam Dama Dam 8-8 and Mah Noor II 7-8.

Win: Dam Dama Dam.

Place: First Passion and Little Love.

SHAHDARA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II 800M:

Victory Diamond 9-0, Jewna 8-12, Little Smile 8-10, Sona 8-8, Red Carpet 8-2, Cleopatra 8-2, Freeze 8-2, Aaja Bulbul 8-0 and So Romantic 7-12.

Win: Jewna.

Place: Little Smile and Freeze.

SHAHDARA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I-B 800M:

Honest Minister 9-0, Murad The Great 9-0, Last Option 9-0, Thank For Nothing 8-12, Golden Addition 8-12, Pakeeza 8-12, Shock Wave 8-12, Love Story 8-12, Blitz 8-10 and Darnaz 8-10.

Win: Last Option.

Place: Murad The Great and Shock Wave.

SHAHDARA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I-A 800M:

Snow Fall 9-0, Big Bird 8-12, Cobbler 8-10, Hitler 8-10, Blue Fire 8-10, Dillagi 8-10, Faryal 8-10, Love Minister 8-8, Tree Of Life (Ex-Scooby Do) 8-6, Brave Heart 8-6, Tallal The Great 8-4 and Sweet Lady 8-4.

Win: Snow Fall.

Place: Dillagi and Brave Heart.

RAVI PLATE CLASS V

DIV I & II 1,100M:

Munsaf 9-2, Pick Of The Day 8-8, Run And Win 8-6, Handsome Hope 8-6, Velocity 8-4, Perfect Promise 8-2, Royal Gambler 8-0, Iconic 7-12, Arzoo 7-8 and Redouble 7-4.

Win: Velocity.

Place: Arzoo and Munsaf.