March 30, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 21, 1429

LAHORE, March 29: A customary bumper crowd is expected to watch the six imported thoroughbreds jostling for supremacy in the Queen Elizabeth Cup, when the 31st Lahore Winter Meeting gets underway at the Racecourse on Sunday.

The event, named after the Queen of England, was instituted in 1961, when Queen Elizabeth II visited the Lahore Race Club (LRC) and also gave away cups and prizes to the winning owners.

Three of the six contenders, namely Konica, Alina Alisha and Interiotte, running in this over 1,600 metres race, look on chance.

The bay English mare Konica, a progeny of Desert King out-of-Haboobti, after winning a race last December was beaten closely by Day Dream Dancer in the over 1,400 metres race. Subsequently she ran off the frame in two outings.

Being placed second once, both the Bay English mare Alina Alisha and filly Interlotte have not won a race in their last two outings.

Well placed in handicap, Konica is speedier than the others in contention to win the top honours.

The Queen cup race will provide the race-goers with an opportunity to witness quality racing. That coupled with Lahore’s windy spring afternoon will enhance everyone’s mood and add to the event’s festivity.

The supporting event, the Islamabad Plate, a class IV division III race, to be gone over the sprinting distance of 1,200 metres has seven acceptors with no classy performer in the line up, which makes the event an open affair.

However, Lucky Cat, Hallow Handsome and Lovely Dunit may fight it out on handicap.

Chestnut colt, Dubai Fan, who was beaten in his previous outing last Sunday should make amends this time in the second race. My Delilah, High Jet and Munsaf may be going all out for acquiring places.

Another chestnut colt, Pak Edition, who registered a facile win on March 19, will be on the trot to make it a two-in-a-row. Koshaliya, Zoaq and Don’t Follow may figure on the board too.

A card of seven races will be gone though. Five events will be contested in the over 1,100 metres distance and one over 1,200 metres besides the cup race that is over 1,600 metres. The first race will be held at 12.30pm.

Following are the fields and our selections:

SHAH KOT PLATE CLASS VI DIV I 1,100M:

Red Carpet 9-0, Extravagant 9-0, Mythical Flight 9-0, Brave Heart 9-0, Arzoo 8-12, Dream Catcher 8-10, Golden Addition 8-10, Babbu The Great 8-10, Honest Minister 8-10, Magic Queen 8-6, Love Minister 8-6, Devine Jury 8-6, Billoo The Great 8-4, Lighting Muqeem 8-2, Dream Act 8-2 and Big Choice 8-2.

Win: Love Minister or Honest Minister. Place: Brave Heart and Dream Act.

TALAGANG PLATE CLASS V DIV III 1,100M:

My Delilah 9-0, Dubai Fan 8-10, Munsaf 8-10, Sabbat Qadam 8-8, Royal Storm 8-8, Mutajir 8-8, Megabite 8-8, Aaja Bulbul 8-8, Rough Tough 8-8, Melody Queen 8-4, High Jet 8-4, Willhewish 8-0 and Blue Fire 7-12.

Win: Dubai Fan. Place: High Jet and My Delilah.

TALAGANG PLATE CLASS V DIV II 1,100M:

Pak Edition 9-0, Koshaliya 9-0, Free Hit 9-0, Emperor 8-10, Zoaq 8-10, Trump Coup 8-10, Harry Can Run 8-10, Justified 8-8, Sweet Lady 8-8, Don’t Follow 8-8, Great Bulbul 8-8, Royal Guester 8-8 and Iconic 8-8.

Win: Pak Edition. Place: Koshaliya and Don’t Follow.

TALAGANG PLATE CLASS V DIV I 1,100M:

Janu 9-9, Dillagi 9-2, Houstan 9-0, Great Memories 9-0, Chanella 8-8, Grey Panther 8-8, Bright Flame 8-6, Zafran 8-6, Byron 8-6, Legend 8-4, Royal Fish 8-4, Philogyny 8-3 and Volcano 8-2.

Win: Janu. Place: Bright Flame and Byron.

ISLAMABAD PLATE CLASS IV DIV III 1,200M:

Hallow Handsome 9-0, Noor 8-12, Miss Play 8-10, Lucky Cat 8-9, Hallow Dancer 8-8, Lovely Dunit 8-4 and Royal Destiny 8-0.

Win: Lucky Cat. Place: Lovely Dunit and Hallow Handsome.

QUEEN ELIZABETH CUP Class I, II & III 1,600M:

Brummel 11 -8, Grecianette 10-12, Konica 8-8, Alina Alisha 8-4, Dream Memories 8-2, Interiotte 8-4 and Snow Clad 8-1.

Win: Konica. Place: Interiotte and Alina Alisha.

SHAH KOT PLATE CLASS VI DIV I & II 1,100M:

Eve 9-0, Cleopatra 8-10, Gold Round 8-6, Athena 8-6, Noor-un-Nisa 8-4, Dream Memories 8-2, Freeze 8-2, Rania 8-2 and Boogy Woogy 8-2.

Win: Rania. Place: Athena and Eve.