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LAHORE, March 27: Three-year-old colt Prince Salman who lost the race on objection last week will be on the trot to make amends when the midweek Lahore Gymkhana races held at the Racecourse on Wednesday.
He is contesting in the third race, a class-VII division-I-A handicap event which will be contested over sprinting distance of 800 metres.
His close rivals could be stable-mate Great Bulbul and Have No Fear.
Prince Salman had won the 900-metre Sohawa Plate Class-VII Division-I-A on March 21 but the race was awarded to second-placed Royal Fish when A. Alam, the rider of fourth-placed Iconic raised an objection against Prince Salman for pressing and crossing.Lahore Race Club (LRC) stewards suspended Anjum, the rider of Prince Salman, for two weeks and fined him Rs5,000.
Four-year-old colt Cobbler looks set to win the feature event, the Khushab Plate Class-V Division-I, to be contested over 900 metres.
Puma The Great, Armida and Hitler should fight for less remunerative positions.
Tan Man Dhan, who raised a big controversy by her dismal showing losing to Armida by a length on March 11, should make amends this time and win the supporting and fourth race to salvage her stable's prestige.
The filly from Cry For The Clown out-of-Tweety was badly ridden by M. Hussain, who was warned by the LRC stewards for poor horsemanship.
The rider was greatly criticised by sports connoisseurs, who allegedly called it willful poor handling of the filly.
Owned by Arbab Nur Mohammad Khan, the filly is trained by Haji Fazal Hadi. This was strange that the champion trainer had engaged a rider who had poor reputation. The reason was best known to him?
Tan Man Dhan's rivals, if any, could be Mama Mia and Royal Luck.
Iconic, a three-year-old filly, looks poised to prevail over her nine rivals in the second race. Princess Afaq, Malang Aya and Royal Palace should finish behind her in the same order.
The distance of 800 metres is well suited to speedster Tosca in the opening race. However, Dashing Paradise and Company are also geared up to run away with the crown. This is a class-VII division-II handicap race.
In all, 43 horses are taking part in the five events barring last-minute withdrawals.
The first race will start at 3pm.
Following are the fields and our selection.
JHELUM PLATE CLASS-VII DIV-II 800M:
Tosca 9-0, Lucky Star 9-0, Titan 9-0, Pretty Princess 9-0, Dashing Paradise 8-8, Wendy 8-6, Company 8-3, Prema Dona 8-2 and Booster 7-8.
Win: Tosca.
Place: Company and Dashing Paradise.
JHELUM PLATE CLASS-VII DIV-I-B 800M:
Iconic 9-0, Princess Afaq 8-12, Royal Palace 8-11, First Dream 8-10, Shah Pari 8-10, Leader's King 8-10, Dam Dama Dam 8-9, Malang Aya 8-7, Sun Ray 8-6 and Remember You 8-5.
Win: Iconic.
Place: Royal Palace and Princess Afaq.
JHELUM PLATE CLASS-VII DIVISION-I-A 800M:
Great Bulbul 9-0, Prince Salman 8-12, Mirana Choice 8-10, Magic Stone 8-10, Wah Bhai Wah 8-10, Tornado 8-10, Super Master 8-6, So Romantic 8-6 and Have no Fear 8-6.
Win: Prince Salman.
Place: Great Bulbul and Have No Fear.
KHUSHAB PLATE CLASS-V DIV-II 900M:
Tan Man Dhan 9-0, Royal Luck 9-0, Shim Jam 8-12, Mama Mia 8-10, Jewna 8-9, Handsome Hope 8-6, Rana Choice 8-2, Gold round 7-12 and Toyota 7-12.
Win: Tan Man Dhan.
Place: Mama Mia and Royal Luck.
KHUSHAB PLATE CLASS-VII DIV-I 900M:
Cobbler 9-0, Puma The Great 9-0, Blue fire 9-0, Armida 8-11, Hitler 8-8, Moj Mayla 8-5 and Fruity 7-12.
Win: Cobbler.
Place: Puma The Great and Hitler.
