July 27, 2008	Sunday	Rajab 23, 1429

KARACHI, July 26: Having won two races on the trot, three-year-old bay filly Blassom is on course for a hat-trick should she land the feature event in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Jockey Tariq Baran had done the joint owners Ms Zainab Ali and Kamal Farooq proud by storming to two successive triumphs last month.

Blassom should have to overcome mare The Princess Arab to accomplish the feat in a field of seven horses. Both have returned with the same timings of one minute 4 3/5 seconds for five furlongs in their last respective outings.

In the sixth race which is also the supporting event, seven-year-old bay Manan Prince and three-year-old colt Star Of Galaxy comes in the reckoning for the honours.

The former is knocking at the door to post his maiden win of the season and has been placed quite often while the latter is in contention to make it three-in-a-row.

It seems to be a closely contested affair and whoever is backed by connection with an experience rider should come out with flying colours.

They are likely to be followed by six-year-old mare Closing Argument.

On current form, three-year-old chestnut colt, The Reyan, should pick up spoils in the top division of class VII where 11 runners will face the starter barring last minute withdrawls.

The Reyan galloped to an exciting 10 lengths victory in the last run on July 13 and looks to repeat the performance in similar fashion.

His likely challengers are fillies Baby John and Leopard Of Arab.

Three-year-old bay filly Leading Of Arab is our fancy in the fourth race and poised to make amends.

Five-year-old chestnut King Of Cool is also in contention and all depends whether he will be on job or not.

Moment To Moment II, a 10-year-old mare, having settled for fourth twice, is tipped to grab the opener. She should be followed by Catch It and Racing Leader.

The next race should see filly Love Pakistan making amends. She should be chased by Queen Of Kinjher and Chun Chun Chun. Daruwala, a 10-year-old bay, can come out with shining performance.

Five-year-old bay mare Again Of Arab should get the better of opponents by picking up the third race.

Sweetie Pie, a four-year-old bay filly, from the stables of Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara is among 12 runners who are in the fray. She has come down in classification and handicap and can win any time.

A card of seven races, all to be run over five furlongs, has been drawn for the day. The first race starts at 2.00pm.

Following is the field and our selections:

THE PINE PLATE DIV V CLASS VII 5F:

Mame 9-0, Moment To Moment II 9-0,

Rey Mysterio 9-0, Princess Zara 8-12, Ordinance 8-11, Black Beauty 8-7, Catch It 8-7, Raj Kumari 8-6, Racing Leader 8-4, Mauja Hi Mauja 7-10.

Win: Moment To Moment II.

Place: Catch It and Racing Leader.

THE PINE PLATE DIV IV CLASS VII 5F:

Dream Prince 9-0, Love Pakistan 8-12, Eye Lady 8-10, Dr. Dre 8-10, Silver City 8-10, Queen Of Kinjher 8-9, Daruwala 8-9, Muktadar 8-7, Guess Its Me 8-6, Chun Chun Chun 8-2, Serpantine 8-2, Jonty Rhodes 8-2, Sweet Saba 8-0.

Win: Love Pakistan.

Place: Queen Of Kinjher and Chun Chun Chun.

THE PINE PLATE DIV III CLASS VII 5F:

Trust Again 9-0, Sonia 9-0, Cash Deposit 8-13, Again Of Arab 8-12, Haroon Prince 8-12, Sher Khan 8-6, New Ferrari 8-4, Jaguar 8-3, Be Jamalo 8-3, Mani Love Janu 8-2, Shah Pasand 8-2, Sweetie Pie 7-12.

Win: Again Of Arab.

Place: Trust Again and New Ferrari.

THE PINE PLATE DIV II CLASS VII 5F:

King Of Cool 9-0, Lucky Gem 8-8, Play Boy 8-7, Bullet Of Arab 8-5, Princess Rozi 8-2, Awan Hi Awan 8-2, Kicking King 8-0, Leading Of Arab 7-13, INXS 7-13, Marvi Express 7-12, Whirl Wind 7-10.

Win: Leading Of Arab.

Place: King Of Cool and Princess Rozi.

THE PINE PLATE DIV I CLASS VII 5F:

Sing Sing 9-0, King Of Karachi 9-0, Leopard Of Arab 9-0, The Reyan 8-12, Mr. Mention Not 8-7, Saad Prince 8-6, Baby John 8-5, Santa Fee 8-5, Royal Champion 8-4, Blind Love 8-4, Friendly Fire 7-13.

Win: The Reyan.

Place: Baby John and Leopard Of Arab.

THE SIALKOT PLATE CLASS VI 5F:

Closing Argument 9-3, Moomal 9-2, Moon Baby 9-2, Vice Admiral 9-2, Good Hope 9-2, Sahibzadi 8-12, Manan Prince 8-10, Rokara 8-10, Star Of Galaxy 8-6, Admire Moon 8-4, Sindh Malook 8-2.

Win: Manan Prince/ Star Of Galaxy.

Place: Closing Argument.

THE KOTRI PLATE CLASS V

DIV I AND II 5F:

Stormy Kiss 9-6, The Victorious 8-12, Savabeel 8-9, The Ghazan Prince 8-6, The Princess Arab 8-6, Star Is Born 7-13, Blassom 7-10.

Win: Blassom.

Place: Star Is Born and The Princess Arab.

DAY’S BEST: Blassom.

GOOD DOUBLE: Again Of Arab and The Reyan.