LAHORE, Jan 3: A fantastic battle between three thoroughbreds in the feature event is expected to delight equine sports connoisseurs when the 18th Lahore Winter Meeting gets underway at the Racecourse on Sunday.

They are strong contenders in a small field of seven for the Peshawar Plate, a class IV Division I, II and III race to go over 1,600 metres, featuring a six-event card.

The excitement is caused by just one aspect in the endurance epic — Tipu Sultan. He won the December Cup and later finished second behind Rags To Riches last Sunday.

He is tightly handicapped at nine stones six pounds, but is still capable to put up a resolute to challenge before conceding defeat.

Colt Vendetta, who finished third behind Tipu Sultan in the same race, gets three pounds allowance for his over a length beating. He is bred to stay over the distance. Filly Philogyny finished third behind Dixie and Punjabi in the prestigious Jinnah cup.

Her placing at seven stones six pounds plus her breeding gives her an edge over the others. But when it comes to measuring strides, past performances are often deceptive when horses belonging to lower classes meet upper class rivals.

The winner of this race will bring much publicity to his/her trainer. And if the trainer’s skill is something to be counted, the leading trainer Sohail Aziz’s colt Vendetta should cause danger for the other two in contention. This will be the fourth race of the day.

The fifth and supporting event, the Mardan Plate, a class V division I and II run over the sprinting distance of 1,200 metres has eight runners.

Bay colt Mutajir, who registered a facile victory, is being favoured to make it a two-in-a-row against his rivals, who have been through an uncharacteristic spell of runs. Nishat Malook, Reborn and Royal Gesture may be his challengers.

Rania, Mikkado and Future Perfect look good in the Mardan Plate, class V division II, run over 1,200 metres.

Filly Future Perfect enjoys handicap advantage to pick up the spoils. This will be the sixth race of the day.

A card of six events will be decided on the first meeting of the New Year. Three races will be contested over 1,100 metres, one 1,600 metres and two 1,200 metres. The first race will be held at 12.30pm.

Following is the field and our selections:

MANSEHRA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I 1,100M:

Trump Coup 9-2, Zoaq 8-12, Barray Lal 8-8, Skippy 8-8, Heart Lake 8-8, Big Bird 8-6, Mera Salman 8-4, One By One 8-4, Ocean Song 8-0, Shams-un-Nia 8-0, Al Ain 7-10.

Win: Barray Lal.

Place: Zoaq and Heart Lake.

MANSEHRA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II 1,100M:

Fakhar-e Sialkot 9-1, Red Carpet 9-0, Harry Can Run 8-12, Sabbat Qadam 8-12, Dream Memories 8-8, Ice Burg 8-6, Maharani 8-8.

Win: Fakhar-e-Silkot.

Place: Maharani and Red Carpet.

MANSEHRA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III & IV 1,100M:

Stride To Moment 9-1, Mirana Shaheen 9-0, Dream Act 8-12, Sun Downer 8-10, Chocolate Sunday 8-6, Kamla 7-6, Best Owner 7-6, Murad The Great 7-4.

Win: Sun Downer.

Place: Dream Act and Stride To Moment.

PESHAWAR PLATE CLASS IV

DIV I, II & III 1,600M:

Mythical 9-10, Lucifer 9-9, Tipu Sultan 9-6, Apex 8-6, Vendetta 7-13, Philogyny 7-6, Pick Of The Day 7-6, Miss Liza 7-4.

Win: Philogyny.

Place: Tipu Sultan and Vendetta.

MARDAN PLATE CLASS V

DIV I & II 1,200M:

Nishat Malook 9-3, Richy Dancer 8-12, Reborn 8-12, Mutajir 8-0, Royal Gesture 8-0, Will He Wish 8-0, Legend Settar 7-12, Big Power 7-10.

Win: Mutajir.

Place: Nishat Malook and Reborn.

MARDAN PLATE CLASS V

DIV II 1,200M:

Tripple Star 9-0, Janu 8-8, Sindbad 8-8, Sweet Lady 8-8, Mikkado 8-7, Geo Bhakkar 8-6, Nothern Crown 8-4, Alishba 8-4, Rania 8-4, Future Perfect 7-10.

Win: Future Perfect.

Place: Mikkado and Rania.