KARACHI, March 9 Five-year-old bay mare Dilruba with Mohammad Essa astride, look smart enough to run away with The March Cup when the Gymkhana race meeting takes place at the Karachi Racecourse on Wednesday.

Dilruba has opened the New Year on winning note lifting The Farewell Cup on Jan 3 under the same rider but since then victory has eluded her in the following four runs.

The mare from the stables of Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara and trained by Sher Mohammad is drawn in a small field of seven runners in the sixth race to be run over five-and-a-half furlongs. The race is also the feature event.

Dilruba is likely to be chased by filly Flying Cloud for a place on board.

Having been placed second in the last three outings, filly Dream Queen is likely to overcome opposition by lifting The Owner's Cup in the third race to be gone over five furlongs.

Those who come in the reckoning for the places are Lucky Gem and Baaz Babaaz.

Mare Babri Doll who has shown some form in the last couple of outings may land the opener which is confined to unknown horses.

Three horses are likely to make their debut among seven runners. Filly Dekha-Ja-e-Ga may follow Barbi Doll for a place.

Nine-year-old bay Canon Ball who finished off the board in the last run has a chance to make amend for the loss should she win the second race.

However, he has to edge past challengers Canon Fire and Golden Pocket.

If all goes well, six-year-old bay Muktadar should make it two on trot by claiming the fourth race while dark bay mare Nitro is fancied to pick up spoils in the next.

Filly Ravens Song and bay Black Rose should dominate the last two races.

A card of eight races including two cups has been drawn for the day. The first race starts at 1.00pm.

Following is the field and our selection

THE TORA BORA PLATE FOR UNKNOWN HORSES 4 ½ F

Deputy Commander 9-0, Great Gambler 9-0, Baby Doll 8-11, Dekha Ja-e-Ga 8-3, Barbi Doll 7-13, Chingari 7-10, Salome Baby 7-10.

Win Barbi Doll.
Place Dekha Ja-e-Ga.

THE TORA BORA PLATE CLASS VII DIV V 4 ½ F

Golden 9-0, Saad Prince 8-10, Aa Tamasha 8-7, Canon Ball 8-6, Sonia 8-5, Princess Sparkle 8-5, Victory Queen 8-3, Canon Fire 7-12, Dream Prince 7-12, King Of Karachi 7-11, Marista 7-11.

Win Canon Ball.
Place Canon Fire and Golden Pocket.

THE OWNER'S CUP CLASS VII DIV III 5 F

Aishker 9-0, Cake 8-12, Shahzadi 8-10, Trump Coup 8-10, Lucky Gem 8-8, Golden Eagle 8-4, Baaz Babaaz 8-3, Your Honour 8-1, Dream Queen 8-0, Al Aasia 7-12.

Win Dream Queen.
Place Lucky Gem and Baaz Babaaz.

THE TORA BORA PLATE CLASS VII DIV IV 5 F

Muktadar 9-0,Borak 8-13, Queen-Of-No-Where 8-11, Sanam Jan 8-8, Come On Kori 8-8, Mano Kano 7-12, Battling Brave 7-11.

Win Muktadar.
Place Queen-Of-No-Where.

THE TORA BORA PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 5 F

Nitro 9-1, Recovery 9-0, Desert Hawk 8-13, Aitbaar 8-13, Follow Me 8-7, Chinkara 8-4, Albely 8-2, Charming Baby 7-11.

Win Nitro.
Place Recovery and Follow Me.

THE MARCH CUP CLASS IV AND V DIV I AND II 5 ½ F

Cover Up 9-2, Dilruba 8-8, Dark Secret 8-4, Flying Cloud 8-3, Marshal Law 8-1, After Shock 8-0, After Glow 7-10.

Win Dilruba.
Place Flying Cloud and Cover Up.

THE KANDHAR PLATE CLASS VI 5 ½ F

Baby John 9-2, Ravens Song 9-2, Afroze Jehan 9-1, In Victous 8-11, Jamhoriat 8-8, Most Of All 8-3, Prince Onyx 8-1, Flora 7-12, Crazy 7-11.

Win Ravens Song.
Place Flora and Jamhoriat.

THE TORA BORA PLATE CLASS VII DIV I 5 1/2 F

Aristocrat 9-1, Black Rose 9-0, Atank Wadi 8-9, Blue Eyed Boy 8-9, Count Down 8-1, Walking Street 8-0, Moon Dazzler 7-12.

Win Black Rose.
Place Aristocrat.
DAY'S BEST Dilruba.
GOOD DOUBLE Nitro and Black Rose.