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LAHORE, July 26: Four-year-old bay colt Weldon Shogun, who was beaten a week ago should make amends this time when he competes in the third race during the Lahore Gymkhana races at the Racecourse on Sunday.
This colt from Shogun out-of-Hurmat, Weldon Shogun was beaten in a 1200 metres race from Black Nigeria by one and three-fourth of a length on July 20.
The distance has now been reduced by 200 metres which goes in his favour. He should be followed by Chandiwala and Hot Press, who have already won a race each on July 20.
A card of six events will be decided in the afternoon. Two events will be contested over the sprinting distance of 1200 metres while four will be run over 1000 metres.
The chestnut Copper Field, who cantered to victory on Sunday last is the most prominent runner in the second race and will be going all out to make it two in-a-row.
He may face tough resistance from top weight Gun Salute, Zuhair Choice and Fifty Six Fifty Six. In all, 16 runners are to face the starter barring last-minute withdrawals.
Dark-bay colt Black Nigeria, who has to his credit a run-away victory last Sunday, seems poised to win again in the fourth race, a class VII division I handicap race to have gone over 1000 metres.
Although Black Nigeria is set to fight a few confirmed speedsters like Puma King, King’s Way and Little Master, he should prove his worth as faster sprinter.
The feature and sixth event, the Abbot Abad Plate class IV division I & II combined handicap race has ten runners, if there are no last-minute withdrawals. Of them five are on chance, namely, Burn Heart, Zargar, Dare To Dream, Storm Bird and Royal Fantasy.
The one receiving better support from the man in the saddle will get the advantage in this tightly handicapped race. On current form Burn Heart gets the advantage.
The supporting and fifth race, the Attock Plate class V division I & II to be contested over 1200 metres is packed with form sprinters that will make winner-picking a difficult task.
Of the 17 contestants Dhandhana, King Of Bhakkar, Green Hill and Beena Roy Baby look good on handicap. The way Dhandhana won after going wide on the outer field last Sunday he should win again if he runs straight course.
Following are the fields and our selections.
AIMAN ABAD PLATE CLASS VII DIVISION IV 1000M.
Star ‘N’ Stripes 9-0 Sugar And Honey 8-9 Most Inn 8-9 Roxanne 8-9 Blue Champion 8-8 Mr Bond 8-6 Sky Hawk 8-5 Malook Star 8-2 and Papa Jan 7-10.
Win: Blue Champion. Place: Malook Star and Papa Jan.
AIMAN ABAD PLATE CLASS VII DIVISION III 1000M.
Gun Salute 9-2 Mohni Road 9-0 Zuhair Choice 9-0 Must Bahar 9-0 Herdividyo 8-10 Copper Field 8-6 Fifty Six Fifty Six 8-4 Oneeza 8-3 Sherdil 8-2 Here Come Rambo 8-1 Raad 7-12 Divine Force 7-12 Gently 7-11 King Of The Field 7-9 Phool Choice 7-9 and Sound Master 7-8.
Win: Copper Field. Zuhair Choice and Gun Salute.
AIMAN ABAD PLATE CLASS VII DIVISION II 1000M.
Birju 9-0 Hot Press 8-13 Weldon Shogun 8-10 Facto 8-10 Quite Arrival 8-10 Oscar 8-10 Chandiwala 8-9 Royal Treasure 8-6 Khalid Chandiwala 8-6 Afnan 8-1 and Darling Of The Royalty 7-9.
Win: Weldon Shogun. Place: Hot Press and Chandiwala.
AIMAN ABAD PLATE CLASS VII DIVISION I 1000M.
Puma King 9-2 Little Master 9-2 Black Nigeria 9-0 Silver Queen 9-0 Extra Heat 9-0 King’s Way 9-0 Fly To The Stars 9-0 Silk Route 8-13 Legality 8-11 Royal Salute 8-11 Liberty 8-9 Follow A Dream 8-9 Asif Love 8-9 Silver Bird 8-5 All In Favour 8-5 Squash Ball 8-5 Al trui Princess 7-12 and Free My Heart 7-11.
Win: Black Nigeria. Place: Puma King and King’s Way.
ATTOCK PLATE CLASS V DIVISION I & II 1200M.
King Of Bhakkar 9-6 Royal Jewellry 9-1 Green Hill 8-6 Euro Gold 8-6 Imagine Iff 8-4 Baker’s Inn 8-3 Peach 8-3 Dhandhana 8-3 Polo Gambler 8-2 Amazing 7-12 Speed Gun 7-8 Beena Roy Baby 7-6 Roman Charger 7-4 Show Counting 7-4 Sun Princess 7-4 Bach View 7-4 and Royal Harban 7-4.
Win: Dhandhana. Place: Beena Roy Baby and King Of Bhakkar.
ABBOT ABAD PLATE CLASS IV DIVISION I & II 1200M.
Kargil Tiger 9-0 Rukhtas Again 9-0 Burn Heart 8-6 Zargar 8-3 Dare To Dream 8-0 Storm Bird 7-10 Flame 7-5 Royal Fantasy 7-5 Dancing Star 7-4 and Mahnoor 7-4.
Win: Burn Heart. Place: Dare To Dream and Storm Bird.
