KARACHI, May 28: The thoroughbred bay colt Fakhr-e-Sanghar beaten last week by Shore Footed by 1 1/4 lengths going over the sprinting distance of six furlongs, should make amends and gallop to victory in the main event, when the Winter Gymkhana Race Meeting gets under way on Sunday at the Karachi Race Course.

Owned by Haji Khuda Bux Rajar, the bay colt with champion jockey M. Nasir perhaps once again in the saddle, should be challenged throughout the six furlong journey by Sarazen, a chestnut horse not allowed by the connections to run on merit on his last three starts, followed by the aged bay horse Prime Panther.

Only seven events have been drawn up for the afternoon’s programme. The first six will be contested over five furlongs, with the main event to be run over six.

The first race begins at 2-30 p.m.

In the opener, Piyari Mehbooba another runner which has not been allowed to run on merit by the connections should win the opener hands down, provided the roan mare in genuinely tried.

Hat’s Off and Venturist Arrow should pick up the next two place chances.

Last Sunday, the seven year-old horse Jaugar was pulled hook, line and sinker by riding boy Mohammad Ismail to allow Lucky Seven to win a tailor made race.

Surprisingly no action was taken against the rider nor the connections of Jaguar, who seem to be leading charmed lives. Anyway on Sunday, Jaguar although carrying 9-7 on his back will get allowance with a riding boy astride and should win the second race hands down from Ladla, with only seven runners in contention going over five furlongs.

Last week Raaz was rather unlucky to finish second behind Crysler by 1 ¼ lengths with riding boy Maroof Alam aboard. However on Sunday, the bay horse is our fancy to pick up the spoils in the third race from the two heavyweights Gold Disc and Azam The Great in the third race on the afternoon’s programme.

The next event has a big field of 18 runners and if all goes well, the thoroughbred bay filly Haseena-e-Arab, finishing second behind Silent Angel last week, should make amends and pick up the spoils in a five furlong sprint, followed home by Dunhill Dancer and top weight High Light.

Last time out Haji Khuda Bux Rajar’s Leopard finished second three and half lengths behind the winner Arab Hi Arab piloted home to victory by jockey A. Aziz, letting down thousands of his supporters.

Participating on Sunday, Leopard this time looks on song to win the honours in the fifth event, strongly challenged by Hazoom and Sonia.

Arab Hi Arab, a popular winner last week with A.Aziz in the saddle, should register another victory for owner Imran Ahmed in the next event and should be followed home by stable companion Jan-e-Arab and top weight Summer Wine.

All said and done, an interesting afternoon awaits the racing fans provided horseracing is allowed to run on merit.

Following is the field and our selections:

LAJAWAB PLATE CLASS VII DIV V & VI 5F

Afzaal Prince 9-4, Roop Ki Rani 9-0, Piyari Mehbooba 8-10, Super Boy 8-10, Raj Kumar 8-9, Hat’s Off 8-4, Law Of Nature 8-1, I’m So Happy 7-13, Venturist Arrow 7-10 and Taneez 7-10.

Win: Piyari Mehbooba

Place: Hat’s Off & Venturist Arrow.

LAJAWAB PLATE CLASS VII DIV IV GROUP B 5F

Jaguar 9-7, King Of The Field 8-10, Big Daddy 8-4, Ladla 8-2, Golden Voice 7-13, Quite Arrival 7-12, and Golden Copy 7-10.

Win: Jaguar

Place: Ladla.

LAJAWAB PLATE CLASS VII DIV IV GROUP A 5F

Azam The Great 9-2, Choti Duniya 9-2, Gold Disc 9-2, Tag Team 9-1, Desperado 9-0, Sher Garh 9-0, Raaz 8-11, Zsa Zsa Warne 8-11, Fascinate 8-9 and Street Fighter 8-7.

Win: Raaz

Place: Gold Disc & Azam The Great.

LAJAWAB PLATE CLASS VII DIV III 5F

High Light 9-2, Crysler 8-10, Dunhill Dancer 8-10, Haseena –e-Arab 8-10, Welcome Pachino 8-9, Sky Hawk 8-7, Cool Water 8-7, Iztrab 8-6, Queen Of Arab 8-6, Lucky Seven 8-5, Salim Love 8-5, Neelam Taab 8-4, Fighter 8-2, Leo Again 8-1, Pretty Jo 7-12, Daruwalla 7-12, Smiling Face 7-12, Ultimate Victory 7-12 and Silent Love 7-11.

Win: Haseena-e-Arab

Place: Dunhill Dancer & High Light.

LAJAWAB PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 5F

Leopard 9-2, Sonia 9-2, Super Salute 9-0, Issey Miyake 8-13 Oath 8-12, Arabian Queen 8-10, Thanks Naeem 8-10, Hazoom 8-8, Princess J.T.M. II (Late Flying Bird 8-6, Nawab 8-5, Princess Hira 8-5, Bold Doll 8-4, Rahil Prince 8-3, Dinoo Makrani 8-2 and Miss Maree 7-11.

Win: Leopard

Place: Hazoom & Sonia.

LAJAWAB PLATE CLASS VII DIV 5F

Summer Wine 9-6, Bang On Target 9-0, Jan-e-Arab 9-0, Guarantee 9-0, Blue Breeze (Late Flaming Star) 8-10, Dil Sher 8-9, Smashing Arrow 8-9, Arab Hi Arab 8-8, Canon Queen 8-6, Fantastic Again 8-6, Deniro 8-4, Midnight Moonlight 8-4, Bold Commander 8-4, Eager Saint (Late Lakht-e-Jiger) 8-2, Butter Fly 8-2, Satellite Star 8-0 and Hot Chocolate 7-10.

Win: Arab Hi Arab

Place: Jan-e-Arab & Summer Wine

SHANGHAI PLATE CLASS VI 6F

Penny 8-13, Fakhar-e-Sanghar 8-11, Strike The Gold 8-10, Sweet Grandy 8-7, Sarazen 8-4, Prime Panther 8-1, Tharkyee 8-1, Gullu’s Government 8-0 and Hip Hop Hunk 7-10.

Win: Fakhar-e-Sanghar

Place: Sarazen & Prime Panther.

DAY’S BEST: Fakhar-e-Sanghar

GOOD DOUBLE: Haseena-e-Arab & Leopard.