August 20, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 17, 1429

LAHORE, Aug 19: A mediocre card of six events awaits race goers at the mid-week day/night Lahore Gymkhana races to be held at the Racecourse on Wednesday evening.

In all, 72 runners are to take part in the events, if there are no last-minute withdrawals. In the feature event, the Sukkur Plate, class VI division I and II combined race, there are 14 acceptors, barring last-minute withdrawals. Of them four look on chance, namely, Brave Heart, Blitz, Cleopatra and Dream Memories.

They are all speedy horses and will be fighting for the top honours. In spite of the top weight at 9-4, Brave Heart still has a good chance but whosoever gets a fine start will be difficult to catch by the chasers because 800 metres is too short a distance. This will be the third race in racing order.

The fourth and supporting event, the Sukkur Plate, class VI division III and IV has nine runners. Of them, three are on chance. They are Athena, Best Owner and lucky Coin.

Three-year-old chestnut filly, Athena, who last ran on June 1 will be appearing on the track after an absence of about seven weeks. She is the well-bred daughter of Putra out-of-Sweety and better on bloodline as compared to her opponents. However, what the stable connections think will only be known when the horses arrive in the paddock.

Pretty, Muskan and Pappu Prince are the pick of the fifth race. On form, the mare Pretty looks better placed to have the better of her opponents in the field of 15 runners with all those making it to the starting gates.

The trio of Client, Kotly and Shandar is the fastest in the 15-runner field drawn for the sixth and last race. They should fight for the spoils. The rider will prove significant in this race with the three on an equal chance.

The first race looks like an open affair. Azeem Prince, Lal Pari, Trigger Happy and Billoo Love are the chance acceptors. On form, Lal Pari enjoys an edge over the others. But the unknown pedigree horses seldom perform consistently.

Leader’s Wing, Cash Box and Anarkali looks good in the opener with the first one named being better on form to edge out the others.

All races will be contested over the sprinting distance of 800 metres. The first race will start at 5.30pm.

The following are the fields and our selections.

BHAKKAR PLATE CLASS VII

DIV IV-B 800M:

Racing Bridge 9-0, Lovng Heart 9-0, Azeem Prince 8-10, Lal Pari 8-4, Trigger Happy 7-12, Niamat Aie 7-12, Sana 7-12, Billoo Love 7-8 and Golden Queen 7-8.

Win: Lal Pari.

Place: Trigger Happy and Azeem Prince.

BHAKKAR PLATE CLASS VII

DIV IV-A 800M:

Roshan Chiragh 9-0, Shann-e-Bahar 9-0, Azad Panchi 9-0, Easy Load 9-0, Leader’s Wing 9-0, Geo News 8-12, Cash Box 8-12, Anarkali 8-10, Best Choice 8-10 and Tarrar Choice 8-10.

Win: Leader’s Wing.

Place: Cash Box and Anarkali.

SUKKUR PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I & II 800M:

Brave Heart 9-4, Blitz 9-0, Black House 8-6, Amazing Boy 8-6, Chocolate Sunday 8-2, Araffa 8-2, Sohna Billoo 8-2, Cleopatra 8-2, Sono Bhai 7-12, Rough Queen 7-10, Dream Memories 7-8, Black King 7-4, Dream Act 7-4 and Tipu Prince 7-4.

Win: Brave Heart.

Place: Dream Memories and Blitz.

SUKKUR PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III & IV 800M:

Basant Mayla 9-0, Sun Ray 8-10, Athena 8-10, Geo Bhakkar 8-2, Smore Choice 8-2, Best Owner 8-0, Black Leopard 7-12, Hikmat 7-10 and Lucky Coin 7-10.

Win: Athena.

Place: Best Owner and Lucky Coin.

BHAKKAR PLATE CLASS VII

DIV I & II 800M:

Royal Panther 9-0, Regent 9-0, Nasira 9-0, Mahima 9-0, Gypsy 8-10, Pretty 8-8, Bagh-o-Bahar 8-4, Muskan 8-4, Khushi 8-0, Pappu Prince 7-12, Sohna Murad 7-12, Cash Price 7-12, Sweet Candy 7-8, Fredy’s Café 7-8 and Ronaq Mayla 7-8.

Win: Pretty.

Place: Muskan and Pappu Prince.

SUKKUR PLATE CLASS VII

DIV II & III 800M:

Best Boy 9-0, Prince Of Chandrai 9-0, Sana My Love 9-0, Raza The Great 9-0, Jawad Prince 9-0, Miss Mano 8-12, Khan Baba 8-10, Changer 8-8, Come On 8-8, Client 8-8, Shandar 8-4, Dynamite 8-4, King’s UK 8-2, Kotli 8-2 and Bobby 7-10.

Win: Kotli.

Place: Shandar and Client.