LAHORE, Nov 15: A classic duel between a colt and a filly that has aroused great public interest, reaches a fitting climax when the 11th Lahore Winter Meeting gets underway at the Racecourse on Sunday.

Cut Throat, trained by the champion trainer Sohail Aziz, takes on the filly Soviet Song, who is trained by Imran, a lesser fry among trainers in a keenly-awaited showdown between two three-year-olds in an expected ordination as potential Derby hopes. They meet in the Karachi Cup, a class IV division I, II and III combined handicap race to be contested in the over 1,600 metres distance.

The son of reputed European sire Forzendo, Cut Throat came into the limelight after defeating chestnut colt Velocity on September 28 last. His owner Syed Tasweer Hussain has pinned high hopes on the colt and his selection of name as Cut Throat reflects his inner feelings after his other colt lost the Pakistan Derby at the finishing post beaten by an outsider filly five years ago due to the rider’s folly.

The Fawad Cheema/Jawwad Shah-owned filly Soviet Song had already won the distinction of completing a hat-trick of victories to remain on the course for further extending her winning streak.

The filly is the progeny of Bletch Dancer from Northern Dancer’s lineage.

Opinions differ as is always the case in racing. More than half the race goers hope Cut Throat would prevail while the remaining would like to see Soviet Song rule the course with glory. But there is another past hero in the line up — the five-year-old horse Tipu Sultan, whose name is synonymous with courage.

Owned by Munir Dar, Tipu Sultan is back on the racing circuit, after successfully fighting an injury for over a year.

He seemed pretty fit on his last outing. However, the cup race would be a trial of his fitness. If fit, he is capable of measuring strides with the two main contenders, in stamina over the distance. This will be the fourth race of the day.

The supporting and the fifth event, the Kassowal Plate, class V, division I and II combined handicap race to be gone over 1,300 metres has 10 runners. Three of them are the real contenders, namely, Nishat Malook, Eve and Princess Ginza. The rest seem like pretenders. The last named — Princess Ginza — has a handicap advantage to win the top honours.

The filly Hermatic and the colt High Jet are the in-form runners in the Kossowal Plate, class V, division II over 1,300 metres. They should fight for the spoils with High Jet getting advantage in the weight scales. Rania and The News may fight for places.

Rustam is a new entry, whose performance is yet to be seen. The only thing evident is that he is named after the legendry Iranian wrestler, who remained undefeated.

Kamla, Tripple Star and Victory Bulbul look good on previous runs, in the first, second and third race. All three were beaten to second place on previous outings and will be all out to salvage their respective stable pride.

A card of six events will be decided. The first three races will be held over 1,200 metres, one over 1,600 metres and two over 1,300 metres. The first race will be held at 1.00pm.

Following is the field and our selections:

PATTOKI PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III & IV 1,200M:

Kamla 9-0, Changer 8-13, Love Minister 8-11, Victory King 8-8, Golden Falconm 8-4, Tara Aya 8-2, Cash Price 7-12, Dream Act 7-12 and Best Friends 7-8.

Win: Kamla.

Place: Love Minister and Changer.

PATTOKI PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II 1,200M:

Leading Light 9-0, Mirana Shaheen 9-0, Tripple Star 9-0, West Ridge Boy 9-0, Amazing Boy 9-0, Pretty Girl 8-10, Jang Ju 8-6, Fakhar-e-Sialkot 8-3, Amazing Mission 8-2 and Geo Bhakkar 7-8.

Win: Tripple Star.

Place: Geo Bhakkar and Amazing Boy.

PATTOKI PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I 1,200M:

Victory Bulbul 9-4, Bad-e-Naseem 9-4, Mikado 9-0, Shim Jim 9-0, King George 9-0, Sultan 9-0, Brave Heart 8-12, Munsaf 8-10, Haider Prince 8-10, Victory Queen 8-10, No Fear 8-10, Warrior Princess 8-10, Maximus 8-10, Polar Bird 8-10, Blue Fire 8-6, Perfect Promise 8-6, Gulf Line and So Romantic 7-11.

Win: Victory Bulbul.

Place: Mikado and Blue Fire.

KARACHI CUP CLASS IV

DIV I, II & III 1,600M:

Apex 9-2, Lucky Cat 8-11, Cut Throat 8-7, Lucky Winner 8-2, Tipu Sultan 8-0, Spritual Song 7-6 and Soviet Song 7-4.

Win: Cut Throat.

Place: Tipu Sultan and Soviet Song.

KASSOWAL PLATE CLASS V

DIV I & II 1,300M:

Chinkara 9-4, Nishat Malook 9-2, Eve 8-13, Janu 8-10, Blitz 8-6, Princess Ginza 8-4, Vendetta 8-2, Royal Gesture 8-0, Reborn 7-12 and Victory Hero 7-12.

Win: Princess Ginza.

Place: Eve and Nishat Malook.

KASSOWAL PLATE CLASS V

DIV II 1,300M:

Hermatic 9-0, Dream Memories 8-13, Magic Queen 8-11, Rustam 8-10, High Jet 8-3, Whisper 8-2, Ustad 8-1, Umer Prince 8-1, Rania 8-0 and The News 7-11.

Win: High Jet.

Place: Rania and Hermatic.