LAHORE, March 3: The 59th running of the Pakistan Derby has a field loaded with equine stars which makes it the biggest competitive event to be held at the Racecourse on Sunday.

The Derby 2007 field consists of eight colts and two fillies, most of them with solid credentials. It seems to be an intriguing competition, particularly, when some of the contenders have not gone over a mile and yet their connections are favouring them. They will be flashing their striding power while pacing with star performers who have gone over 2000metres.

Taking into account contenders' recent performances and classifications, it (the fifth race) looks to be a tough competition between a colt and two fillies, namely Toru Khan, Big Show and Top Cat. They will probably be ridden by Aamir Parvaiz, M. Nasir II and M. Hanif respectively.

Toru Khan had an unblemished record of five wins in a row. His winning streak was cut by the turf queen, Big Show, who won the Derby Trial. Toru's defeat spurred his connections into action and they took extra care of the colt, who then demonstrated vast improvement in track work.

Big Show, purchased by a Karachiite for an ultra high price, has paid his owner well, winning the 1000 Guineas Of Pakistan and the Derby Trial. She appears to be the main challenger to Toru Khan. There are several instances that the Derby Trial winner carried the Derby. This too makes Big Show, the top challenger.

The winner’s purse this year is the highest ever. The winner will receive Rs600,000 and the cup worth Rs50,000.

The colts and fillies finishing second, third and fourth will receive Rs200,000, Rs100,000 and Rs50,000 respectively.

The main supporting event, the ICI Lahore Classic Cup will go over 2000metres. This will be the sixth race. It consists of star-studded field of seven imported and two local thoroughbreds. A tough battle is expected among Grecianette, Miss Thailand and Go With The Wind.

The daughter of USA sire Night Shift out-of-Alexandria, Grecianette is favourite to edge out others.

The bay colt, Fair Diamond is a cut above in class vis-à-vis his six rivals in the National Breeders Cup, a term race for three-year-old to be contested over 1400metres.

This colt from Re-Play out-of-Welcome Vida, has already scored two successive victories and expecting to complete a hat-trick of victories on the Derby Day.

Headingley and Royal Tradition will fight for second position.

Para Game, Jasrah and Golden Goal are form contenders in the Stewards Cup to be gone over 1400metres. A close finish between the three may be the likely result of the race.

Prince Of Bhakkar is a speedy colt in the LRC Cup, a class-V div-1 handicap race over sprinting distance of 1200metres. Run And Win Trump Coup and Chille would fight for less remunerative positions.

A card of nine races has been drawn for the equine sports festival in connection with the Pakistan Derby day. The first race will be held at 12 noon.

Following are the fields and our selection.

LRC PLATE CLASS-V DIV-111 1200M:

Tornado 9-0, Royal King 8-12, Gold Medallist 8-12, Shah Pari 8-10, Tyson 8-10, Well Done 8-10, River Edge 8-10, Sikander Azam 8-10, Rana Choice 8-9, Just My Luck 8-6, Tallal The Great 8-6, Kind Minister 8-5, Honest Minister 8-4, Grey Panther 8-2 and Arabian Sea 8-2.

Win: Gold Medallist. Place: Royal King and River Edge.

LRC CUP CLASS-V DIV-1 1200M:

Prince Of Bhakkar 9-4, Run And Win 9-0, Chill 9-0, Big Bird 9-0, Daisy Against All 8-10, Rough Tough 8-5, Chakori Jaisa 8-4, Cross Ruff 8-4, Charming King 8-4, Do Or Die 8-0, Blue Fire 8-0, Little Legend 7-12, Aaja Bulbul 7-12, Mirana Choice 7-12, Mubashara 7-10, Trump Coup 7-10, Fruity 7-10 and Willhewish 7-10.

Win: Prince Of Bhakkar. Place: Run And Win and Trump Coup.

STEWARDS PLATE CLASS-IV

DIV-111 1400M:

Lethal Force 9-0, Sodagar 9-0, Lucifer 8-10, Lovely Gate 8-10, Azam Love 8-8, Richy Dancer 8-6, Miss Photogenic 8-4, Black House 8-0 and Puma the Great 7-8.

Win: Lucifer. Place: Lovely Gate and Lethal Force.

NATIONAL BREEDERS CUP, A TERM RACE FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD COLTS AND FILLIES, 1400M:

Fair Diamond 9-0, Kiss Of Luck 9-0, Headingley 8-7, Royal Tradition 8-2, Legend Sattar 7-12, Penzy 7-9 and Baker Love 7-9.

Win: Fair Diamond. Place: Headingley.

PAKISTAN DERBY 2007, A TERM RACE FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLD COLTS AND

FILLIES, 2400M:

Azzam 9-0, Chan 9-0, Gold Krik 9-0, Jut Bahadur 9-0, Nosha 9-0, Toru Khan 9-0, Total Surprise 9-0, Tipu Sultan 9-0, Big Show 8-11 and Top Cat 8-11.

Win: Toru Khan. Place: Top Cat and Big Show.

ICI LAHORE CLASSIC CUP CLASS-1, 11 & 111 2000M:

Brumell 10-3, Go With The Wind 8-11, Thrill 8-10, Eswarah 8-7, Grecianette 8-4, Miss Thailand 8-4, Valentine 8-4, Sun Stroke 7-12 and Dextrity 7-12.

Win: Grecianette. Place: Miss Thailand and Go With The Wind.

STEWARDS PLATE CLASS-IV

DIV-11 1400M:

Pricess Of Gujrat 9-0, Flying Pet 9-0, Wendy Trace 8-12, Zanjeer 8-10, Quince 8-10, Dil Vil 8-4, Fido Dido 8-4, War Admiral 8-0 and Great Murad 7-10.

Win: Flying Pet. Place: Dil Vil and Zanjeer.

STEWARDS CUP CLASS-IV DIV-1 1400M:

Para Game 9-6, Zargar 8-10, Golden Goal 8-10, Lucky Murad 8-2, Jasrah 7-12, Noor 7-12 and Harry Can View 7-11.

Win: Para Game. Place: Golden Goal and Jasrah.

LRC PLATE CLASS-V DIV-11 1200M:

Bone Crusher 9-2, Tan Man Dhan 9-0, Cobbler 9-0, Sohna Billoo 9-0, Re Born 9-0, Julia Robert 9-0, Harry Can run 8-12, Intikhab-e-Bhakkar 8-12, Safe And Sound 8-10, Sun Shine 8-10, Bold Act 8-10, Tropical 8-10, Icon 8-10, Gold Bird 8-10, Beautiful Baby 8-9, Hitler 8-8, Spiritual Song 8-8 and Gulf Line 8-6.

Win: Re Born. Place: Tan Man Dhan and Intikhab-e-Bhakkar.