KARACHI, Aug 23: Four-year-old bay filly Diamond In Dust has strong credentials to make it two on the trot should she land The Fantastic Stakes in the Gymkhana race meeting at Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.
To be ridden by its regular ace rider Ghulam Shabbir II, she is expected to deliver the goods in the seven furlongs race which is seventh in the order.
Filly Phapha Kutni and chestnut Desert Hawk comes in the reckoning for posing her challenge.
In the preceding sixth race, three-year-old bay filly, Claim To Fame, and another three-year-old bay filly, The Victorious, are set to renew their rivalries in the seven furlongs The Aberdonian Stakes, a handicap race for three-year-old colts and fillies.
Claim To Fame rose to the occasion by claiming prestigious The Independence Day Cup on Aug 14 imposing two-and-a-half lengths victory over The Victorious with Shabbir in the saddle.
She is again tipped to get past her opponent in a closely fought battle which has the shortest field of four runners.
The Youngster Cup which is restricted to two-year-old colts and fillies is likely to end in a blaze of glory for colt Big Bang who made his debut on the Independence Day and was beaten to second place by another debutant Blanchine.
He should be chased by filly Stratusfaction for the place among seven runners in the fourth race to be run over four furlongs.
Four-year-old bay colt Die-Na-Might is tipped to atone to the previous loses by claiming the opener.
Filly Sweetie Pie who has finally overcame bad patch with a long overdue victory in the last run seems to repeat her winning feat in the second race so does colt Remy Martin in the third.Remy Martin posted an impressive 11 lengths victory over Leopard Of Arab earlier this month.
Three-year-old chestnut colt Stryde By Stryde who went eight pounds over last time, mare Royal Loyalty, filly Dilruba and colt Sayeen Jee are tipped to make amends by landing their respective races.
A card of 10 races, including three cups, has been drawn for the day. The first race starts at 12.30pm.
Following is the field and our selections:
THE MELA PLATE DIV IV
CLASS VII 5F:
Die-Na-Might 9-0, Raj Kumari 9-0, Jaguar 8-13, Be
Jamalo 8-13, Qandhar 8-11, Dream Prince 8-9.
Win: Die-Na-Might.
Place: Dream Prince.
THE MELA PLATE DIV III
CLASS VII 5F:
Princess Rozi 9-4, Saligna 9-0, Sweetie Pie 8-12, Trust Again 8-11, Jadu Jantar 8-8, Hamza Joy 8-8, Mushki 8-6, Lady Clever 8-6, NYX 8-5, Taneez 8-5, Johnie Walker 8-3, Guess Its Me 8-3, New Ferrari 8-2, Al Tahura 8-2, Sahib-e-Alam 8-1, The Choice Of The Day 7-12, Haroon Prince 7-12.
Win: Sweetie Pie.
Place: Jadu Jantar and NYX.
THE MANAN PLATE
CLASS VI 5F:
Manan Prince 9-5, Closing Argument 9-3, Remy Martin 9-0, Reyan The Great 8-2, Leopard Of Arab 8-2, Rokara 8-0, Zardan 7-12.
Win: Remy Martin.
Place: Leopard Of Arab.
THE YOUNGSTER CUP FOR TWO-YEAR-OLD
COLTS AND FILLIES 4F:
Army Of One 8-7, Big Bang 8-7, Crazy 8-7, Lil Kimm 8-4, Stratusfaction 8-4, Tulip 8-4, Silver Victory 8-0.
Win: Big Bang.
Place: Stratusfaction.
THE MAHAM PLATE CLASS IV AND V
DIV I AND II 5F:
Captain Black 9-10, Dragon Heart 9-10, Bacaradi 9-4, King Of Sanghar 8-12, Stryde By Stryde 7-10, Voo Doo Doll 7-9, Diamond Typhoon 7-6.
Win: Stryde By Stryde.
Place: Voo Doo Doll.
THE ABERDONIAN STAKES - A HANDICAP RACE FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD COLTS AND FILLIES 7F:
Claim To Fame 9-1, Discreet Cat 9-0, The Victorious 8-11, Dark secret 8-9.
Win: Claim To Fame.
Place: The Victorious.
THE FANTASTIC STAKES- FOR FOUR-YEAR
AND UPWARD PAK HORSES 7F:
Abhi Abhi 9-10, Phapha Kutni 9-0, Bharosa 8-12, Spice Of Arab 8-0, Diamond In Dust 7-8, Yes Neighbour Yes 7-7, Afroze Jehan 7-7, Desert Hawk 7-7.
Win: Diamond In Dust.
Place: Phapha Kutni and Desert Hawk.
THE MELA PLATE DIV V
CLASS VII 5F:
Chun Chun Chun 9-0, Princess Zara 8-13, Jonty Rhodes 8-13, Royal Loyalty 8-8, Princess 8-8, Serpantine 8-8, Victory Prince 8-7, Samrah Love 8-7, Marista 8-5, Haibat Nak 8-4, Mame 7-13, Shah Sawar 7-12, Mauja Hi Mauja 7-11, Native Queen 7-11, Sharp Edge 7-11.
Win: Royal Loyalty.
Place: Chun Chun Chun and Marista.
THE MELA PLATE DIV II
CLASS VII 5F:
Prince Salman 9-0, New Approach 8-13, King Of Cool 8-11, Sher Garh 8-10, Saad Prince 8-7, Blind Love 8-7, Dr. Dang 8-6, Paidagir 8-6, Temptation 8-5, Dilruba 8-2, Bullet Of Arab 7-12, Dandy Boy 7-10, Leading Of Arab 7-10.
Win: Dilruba.
Place: Leading Of Arab and King Of Cool.
THE MELA PLATE DIV I
CLASS VII 5F:
Ace Of Base 9-4, Khan Jee 9-1, Canon Fire 8-9, Nemises 8-8, Arab Hi Arab 8-7, Listen 8-6, Star Of Angels 8-5, Sayeen Jee 8-0, Lucky Gem 8-0, John Player 7-12, Sundri 7-10.
Win: Sayeen Jee.
Place: Ace Of Base and Arab Hi Arab.
DAY’S BEST: Diamond In Dust.
GOOD DOUBLE: Sweetie Pie and Stryde By Stryde.