KARACHI, April 20: Walking Distance, a half bred colt from Flaming Arrow out of Dancing Best, is on song to register another triumph when the Summer Gymkhana Meeting gets under way at the Karachi Racecourse Sunday.
Participating in the fifth event with a big field of 15 runners, Walking Distance should be challenged throughout the five furlong journey by Dushtiyani and Welcome Shahtab with Xtasy completing the frame.
All in all, seven races have been chalked out, all to be contested over the sprinting distance of five furlongs.
The first race begins at 2.00 p.m.
In the opener, the bay mare Samrah, finishing a good third behind Royal Springs and Baby Tabassum only a week ago, is fancied to win this event from Prism Of Life, with Royal Springs picking up the third spot, although penalised to carry nine stones and two pounds on his back.
In the next event Always In, Ever Green and Even Top are the form horses in this field. Ever Green has finished third in her last two outings, but the chestnut gelding should improve and is fancied in these columns to pass the winning post ahead of Always In, unlucky to lose his race last week against Sajan Black, due to some poor riding by jockey Latif. Even Top taking the early lead, should be content for third position.
Although carrying 9-4 on his back, Zabyan is tipped to pick up the spoils in the following event, edging out the speedy Lawrence Of Arabia and Simple Prayer.
The fourth race of the afternoon with 15 runners in contention, should provide plenty of thrills for the racing fans. Of the lot Bach Fly with a good lad astride, should get the better of the two front runners Mark and Maha Sagar.
The chestnut filly Lucky One tracking well in the morning workouts, is our fancy to grab the top honours in the sixth race of the afternoon. Son Of None is indeed a very fast customer, but the bay horse is a habitual bad starter, but could win this race if he takes a level start.
The two year-old chestnut colt Strategic, paced well in his last outing on Sunday, and taking that run into consideration, should beat Star Flash and Donatello for the third berth.
Queen Of Hearts has brought heartaches to her large band of supporters on several occasions. However, although penalised to carry 9-3 on her back, the chestnut mare with a good riding boy in the saddle, should make amends for her last failures and edge out last week’s winner Lover’s Life and Baby Face, prevented from running on merit by jockey M. Bashir, who after the race had his license revoked by the angry Stewards for three months.
Following is the field and our selections:
MURREE PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-IV 5F
Royal Springs 9-2, Lucky Love 9-0, Prism Of Life 8-11, Pretty Samrah 8-6, Spring Fair 8-6, Sunday Silence 8-3, Fearless 8-3, Vicky Jee 8-0, Clever Cat 7-9 and Sher Khan 7-9.
Win: Pretty Samrah
Place: Prism Of Life & Royal Springs.
MURREE PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-III 5F
Always In 9-2, Ever Green 9-0, Even Top 9-0, Much Better 9-0, Chhotoo 9-0, One Touch 8-11, Mairay Naina 8-10, Bright China 8-9, Royal Beauty 8-6, Shining Rock 8-5, Law Of Nature 8-1, Powerful Tarzan 7-13, Richy Rich 7-11 and Fantazm 7-10.
Win: Ever Green
Place: Always In & Even Top.
MURREE PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-II 5F
Zabyan 9-4, Just In Fun 9-2, Lawrence Of Arabia 8-11, Brave Again 8-10, Great Bakht 8-9, Surprise Again 8-9, Royal Wisdom 8-8, Splendid Winner 8-6, Black Magic 8-6, Mera Kiya Kasoor 8-6, Hogan 8-5, Millennium Era 8-1, Simple Prayer 8-0, Ustadon Ka Ustad 7-13, Sweet Grandy 7-10, Neeli Nighahain 7-10 and Jeedar 7-10.
Win: Zabyan
Place: Lawrence Of Arabia & Simple Prayer.
MURREE PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-I 5F
Recent Command 9-0, Bach Fly 8-13, Sone Pari 8-12, Mark 8-8, Maha Sagar 8-8, Superb Star 8-7, Major Dandy 8-5, Royal Honest 8-2, Aakash 8-2, Sada-e- Lajpal 8-1, Genuine Risk 8-1, Jango 7-11, Shining Steel 7-11, Meme Sahib 7-11 and Victory Princess 7-11.
Win: Bach Fly
Place: Mark & Maha Sagar.
MURREE PLATE CLASS IX DIV VII-B 5F
Order Of The Day 9-0, Walking Distance 9-0, Greek Baron 8-11, Sardar 8-11, Naeem Touch 8-10, Dushtiyani 8-8, Xtasy 8-8, Lady Of Secret 8-8, Royal Promise 8-8, Welcome Shahtab 8-2, Lover’s Line 8-2, Magical Effect 7-12, Hiawatha 7-11, Done Is Done 7-8 and Joan Of Arc 7-8.
Win: Walking Distance
Place: Dushtiyani & Welcome Shahtab.
MURREE PLATE CLASS IX DIV VII-A 5F
Brave Shah 9-0, Strategic 9-0, Sarazen 9-0, Royal Lancer 9-0, Star Flash 8-11, Son Of None 8-5, Lucky One 8-5, Miss Ruby 8-5, Donatello 8-0, Prince Naeem 8-0 and Flying Bird 7-11.
Win: Lucky One
Place: Son Of None & Strategic.
MURREE PLATE CLASS IX DIV VI 5F
Queen Of Hearts 9-3, Rehmat Ka Phool 9-0, Inferno 8-13, Miss World 8-12, Baby Face 8-11, Lover’s Life 8-8, Brook Star 8-5, Giselle 8-4, Aziz Saheb 8-0 and Knight Fighter 7-12.
Win: Queen Of Hearts
Place: Lover’s Life & Baby Face.
DAY’S BEST: Walking Distance
GOOD DOUBLE: Walking Distance - Queen Of Hearts.