May 14, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 8, 1429

LAHORE, May 13: A competitive card of six events has been drawn for the midweek day/night Lahore Gymkhana races to be held at the Racecourse on Wednesday.

With the influx of unknown UK pedigree horses raising the total number of horses, including thoroughbred and half-bred, to the ever high 600 mark, this is going to be a wonderful summer season unlike the previous years when the Lahore Race Club (LRC) was faced with an acute shortage of entries for the midweek summer racing.

Moreover, night racing has become increasingly popular, providing an ideal atmosphere for entertainment for equine sports lovers.

The racecourse, glittering under powerful lights, presents a clear view of the whole circuit. You can see the four-legged athletes jostling for supremacy from any of the public enclosures. There is a close circuit TV system too with TV sets fitted all around the enclosures besides the betting ring.

Arrangements have also been made for live racing telecasts from various racing centres in South Africa, giving race goers the privilege of enjoying international events too.

The unknown chestnut mare Laina Again, with two back-to-back victories on the trot, will be looking to complete a trail of hat-tricks on Wednesday.

Laina Again is contesting in the fifth and supporting event, the Mastung Plate, class VI, division II to be contested over the 1,100 metres distance. Among her 13 rivals, Faryal, Great Khan and Sir Ivanhoe stand out on previous performances.

Four-year-old colt Tyson looks set to win the feature and the last event, the Mastung Plate, class VI, division I to be run over the distance of 1,100 metres.

The progeny of Power Base out-of-Arrogant Girl, Tyson, ran a good second behind Noor-un-Nisa on his previous outing. He should make amends this time and win the race. Love Minister, Pretty Princess and Ahsan The Great may also be fighting for a place.

Yard Arm, Mah-e-Noor and Chocolate Boy look on chance in the fourth race, a class VI, division IV handicap event to be gone over the sprinting distance of 1,100 metres.

The eight-year-old gelding Yard Arm is better on classification and should show an improved performance in order to have the better of his rivals.

Three-year-old bay colt Porche, who ran spiritedly to register a close win against her rival Sana, should put up a better show this time. The horse, who happens to be fighting fit, has some 17 rivals in the third race with Snow Fall, Leader’s Wing and Best Owner being closest ones.

Mera Chan, Rokrra, Pretty and Silent Assassin look good in the 18-strong field for the second race, barring last-minute withdrawals. Mera Chan, who was defeated by Mere Lal in the over 900 metres event, should make amends this time by winning the race with the rest fighting for places.

The first race has 15 runners. Of them Bagh-o-Bahar, Sana, Waqas Prince and Sohna Murad should fight for the spoils.

In all, 84 runners, unknown pedigree horses mostly, will be taking part in the six events, the first to be contested over the 900 metres distance and the remaining three over 1,100 metres.

The first race will be held at 5:00pm.

The following is the field and our selections:

SUTLUJ PLATE CLASS VII DIV III 900M:

Bagh-o-Bahar 9-0, Bioactive 9-0, Independence Day 9-0, Parwana 9-0, Sana 8-13, Sohna Noor 8-10, Sana Choice 8-10, Waqas Prince 8-10, Anarkali 8-10, Sohna Murad 8-2, Azeem Prince 8-0, Lal Pari 7-10, Kundan 7-8, Pattola 7-0, Sohni Bulbul 7-0.

Win: Bagh-o-Bahar.

Place: Waqas Prince and Sohna Murad.

SUTLUJ PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 900M:

Ranjha 9-0, Naseebanwali 9-0, Gentleman 9-0, Gojra Choice 9-0, Morni 8-10, Unqiue 8-10, Basant Mayla 8-10, Polo Lounge 8-10, Hurry Up 8-10, Mera Chan 8-10, Silent Assassin 8-8, Faizan Prince 8-8, Kiss Of Love 8-6, Miss Karina 8-6, Rokrra 8-2, Pure Power 7-12, Rajwali 7-10, Pretty 7-10.

Win: Mera Chan.

Place: Rokkra and Silent Assassin.

SUTLUJ PLATE CLASS VII DIV I 900M:

Banjaran 9-0, King Of Kings 9-0, Pakistani 9-0, My Hope 9-0, Lucky Seven 9-0, Kings UK 9-0, Boom Boom 9-0, Bubbly 9-0, Golden Tree 8-10, Majid Love 8-10, Sana My Love 8-10, Senorita 8-6, Best Owner 8-6, Better Times 8-6, Snow Fall 8-6, Shandar 8-4, Leader’s Wing 8-0, Porche 7-10.

Win: Porche.

Place: Snow Fall and Best Owner.

MASTUNG PLATE CLASS VI

DIV IV 1,100M:

Weldon Shogun 9-0, Mah-e-Noor 8-10, Sun Shine 8-6, Chocolate Boy 7-12, Yard Arm 7-10, Lucky Star 7-10, Company 7-8, Black King 7-8, Dogar Gift 7-8.

Win: Yard Arm.

Place: Chocolate Boy and Mah-e-Noor.

MASTUNG PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II & III 1,100M:

Pind De Kuri 9-4, Regent 8-10, Golden Road 8-10, Mantar Prince 8-8, Great Khan 8-8, Faryal 8-2, Victory King 8-2, Laina Again 7-13, Sir Ivanhoe 7-10, Sona 7-10, Great Rhythm 7-10, Romanella 7-10, Lucky Coin 7-6, Boogy Woogy 7-6.

Win: Laina Again.

Place: Great Khan and Faryal.

MASTUNG PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I 1,100M:

Cheeta Aya 9-0, Pretty Princess 8-12, Love Minister 8-12, Ahsan The Great 8-12, Tyson 8-12, Last Option 8-11, Honest Minister 8-9, Justified 8-8, Jewna 8-8, Al Ain 8-0.

Win: Tyson.

Place: Pretty Princess and Ahsan the Great.