Field of six set for Islamabad Cup

LAHORE, Oct 18: With a facile victory to his credit, the three-year-old chestnut colt Dubai Fan looks set to win the Islamabad Cup to go over the sprinting distance of 1,200 metres at the Racecourse on Sunday.

As its name suggests, the event is named after Pakistan’s capital city and is a regular feature of the Lahore Winter Meetings since its inception many years ago.

Only six horses have been accepted for the event, a handicap race in class five, featuring the card of the 7th Lahore Winter Meeting.

Since the annual elections for the 10-member panel of the Lahore Race Club (LRC) stewards are scheduled to be held next Sunday (Oct 26), a majority of the eligible candidates, running for the honour, from both the rival groups make it a point to attend the races to carry on with their election campaign and show that they are in the arena to give a tough fight, come what may. For the punters, their presence is a big blessing, which ensures competitive and fair racing.

Of the six contenders, three look on chance, namely, the fillies Eve and Princess Ginza and Dubai Fan. They should fight it out. The form colt Dubai Fan is in at present gives him an edge over the others.

This will be the fourth race in racing order.

The Mirza Khurshid Baig/ Zaheer Aslam jointly owned power-house Desert Prince after a record breaking victory last Sunday will be once again on course to challenge the handicap weight of ten stones and four pounds assigned to him in the class four race to be contested over 1,200 metres.

The way the colt toyed with his opponents last Sunday guarantees that he will be on the trot to leave behind all his rivals under different weights in the handicap. Doesn’t matter if he wins or loses, he has already proved his class beyond doubt, clocking the fastest-ever time of one minute and six seconds over the 1,100 metres distance carrying a weight of nine stones eight pounds on his back and shattering the existing record of one minute 6 2/5 seconds by the colt Lucifer, carrying eight stones eight pounds, some time back.

Though Desert Prince’s task seems somewhat difficult, it is not unachievable this time. What the owners feel will be known at the right moment.

This will be the sixth and last race of the day.

The colt named Punjabi, who was beaten by Desert Prince, should make amends this time and win the fifth race, the Phularwan Plate, class IV, division II and III combined handicap race over 1,200 metres.

Tuba First, Rags To Riches and Dixie should fight for places.

The colt Soviet Song looks a cut above in class vis-à-vis his nine rivals in the third race. The way the colt won the last time indicates his breeding class. He is a champion in the making. But it depends how bold his owner is to take on animals in his division and class. The filly Philogyny and the colt Iconic are the next best in the same order.

All races are to be contested over the sprinting distance of 1,200 metres. The first race starts at 2.00pm.

Following are the fields and our selections:

CHAKWAL PLATE

CLASS VI DIV II 1,200M:

Scarlet Empress 9-5, Al Ain 9-0, Tripple Star 8-10, Jurrat 8-10, Mikado 8-6, Amazing Mission 8-6, Super Sonic 8-4, Chocolate Sunday 8-2, Basanti 8-2, Victory Rose 7-12 and Khuddar 7-8.

Win: Scarlet Empress.

Place: Al Ain and Super Sonic.

CHAKWAL PLATE

CLASS VI DIV I 1,200M:

Dream Memories 9-0, Trump Coup 9-0, Blitz 9-0, Moj Mayla 9-0, Miss Brave Heart 8-10, Extravagant 8-10, Blue Fire 8-6, High Jet 8-4, Dam Dama Dam 8-2, Hip Hip Hurray 8-2, Little Smile 8-2 and Jania Jee 7-12.

Win: Trump Coup.

Place: Blue Fire and High Jet.

ISLAMABAD PLATE

CLASS V DIV II 1,200M:

Iconic 9-0, Rania 9-0, Zoaq 8-12, Brave Heart 8-9, Big Bird 8-9, Chakori Jaisa 8-8, The News 8-6, Lighting Muqeem 8-5, Soviet Song 8-4 and Philogyny 8-3.

Win: Soviet Song.

Place: Iconic and Philogyny.

ISLAMABAD CUP CLASS V

DIV I & II 1,200M:

Eve 9-0, Richy Dancer 8-13, Harry Can View 8-12, Dubai Fan 8-11, Princess Ginza 8-4 and Raksh-e-Raqeeban 8-4.

Win: Dubai Fan.

Place: Eve and Princess Ginza.

PHULARWAN PLATE CLASS IV DIV II & III 1,200M:

Rags To Riches 9-0, Dixie 9-0, Tuba First 8-11, Bright Star 8-4, Punjabi 8-0, Reborn 7-8 and Victory Hero 7-4.

Win: Punjabi.

Place: Tuba First.

PHULARWAN PLATE CLASS IV DIV I & II 1,200M: