LAHORE, April 24: Three-year-old bay colt Prince Salman, with two consecutive victories, will be on the trot to complete a hat-trick by winning the feature event of the Lahore Gymkhana midweek meeting at the Racecourse on Wednesday.

He is contesting in the Sanda Plate, a class-five division-I and II handicap race which will be contested over 900 metres. There are seven acceptors of the race barring last-minute withdrawals.

Prince Salman has to out stride only Mama Mia and Penzy in this fifth and last race of the day. All the races will be contested over 900 metres.

The colt has been promoted from class-five division-II after winning a race and his handicap raised from nine stones two pounds to nine stones six pounds.

His owner has appealed to Lahore Race Club (LRC) stewards against the alleged harsh penalty. The stewards will take a decision on the appeal on Wednesday (today).

Majority of the owners are not satisfied with the mode of handicapping. They allege that the horses belonging to the stewards are not handicapped fairly.

An LRC member told Dawn he sometimes felt the handicapping was done to benefit some horses.

A set principle of the handicapping, if applied in letter and spirit, will surely help minimise the complaints.

In the fourth and supporting race, the Sanda Plate Class-V Division-II handicap, there are ten runners. On recent form Sher-e-Lahore and Remember You stand out. However, on bloodline, Royal King and Chuey Muey are also good. The quartet should fight it out.

In the third race, of the total nine acceptors five are trained by Sohail Aziz and of them three are on chance to win the race, namely, Rana Choice, Great Bulbul and Fearless Boy.

Chestnut colt Cheeta Aya, First Dream and My Shanga are the pick of the dozen drawn for the second race. They should fight in the same order.

The opener looks a contest between Dogar Gift, Janu and Lucky Star. Dogar Gift is a faster animal.

Following are the fields and our selection.

KAHNA PLATE CLASS-VII DIV-II-B 900M:

Shah Pari 9-0, King Cobbler 8-12, Shehzadi 8-12, Ginger 8-12, Gringo 8-12, Rusty 8-12, Lucky Star 8-12, Lucky Star 8-12, Mystic 8-6, Booster 8-6, Dogar Gift 8-6 and Janu 8-6.

Win: Dogar Gift.

Place: Lucky Star and Janu.

KAHNA PLATE CLASS -VII DIV-I & II 900M:

First Dream 9-3, Gold Round 9-0, Mosaic 9-0, Tornado 8-10, Lucky Coin 8-10, So Romantic 8-10, My Shanga 8-8, Stumpy 8-6, Cheeta Aya 8-6, Goldie 8-6, High Quality 8-2 and Queen Of Gold 8-2.

Win: Cheeta Aya.

Place: First Dream and My Shanga.

KAHNA PLATE CLASS-VII DIV-I 900M:

Rana Choice 9-0, Great Bulbul 8-10, Tosca 8-5, Have No Fear 8-3, Fearless Boy 8-2, Wah Bhai Wah 8-2, Crystal Heart 8-2, Stardust 8-0 and Royal Palace 7-10.

Win: Rana choice.

Place: Great Bulbul and Fearless Boy.

SANDA PLATE CLASS-V DIV-II 900M:

Remember You 9-1, Sher-e-Lahore 9-0, Run For Dollar 9-0, Mubashara 8-10, Gold Bird 8-6, Mythical 8-2, Dam Dama Dam 8-2, Royal King 8-0, Chuey Muey 7-12 and Gulf Line 7-10.

Win: Sher-e-Lahore.

Place: Remember You and Royal King.

SANDA PLATE CLASS-V DIV-I & II 900M:

Prince Salman 9-6 (Under Appeal) Cobbler 8-10, Houstan 8-7, The News 8-4, Net Cracker 8-4, Mama Mia 8-0 and Penzy 8-0.

Win: Prince Salman.

Place: Mama Mia and Penzy.