LAHORE, Aug 16: The Lahore Summer Meeting marking the auspicious occasion of Independence Day celebrations features three cup events, promising fine horse racing action during the day/night programme at the Racecourse on Sunday.

The main event, the Independence Day Cup, a class VI, division I handicap race to go over the sprinting distance of 900 metres has 16 runners, if there are no last-minute withdrawals.

The three-year-old bay filly Victory Bulbul, who swept to a magnificent maiden success last Sunday will be on the trot to win top honours and make it a two in-a-row. This filly from Shogun, out-of-Royal Task, won the class VI, division II race easily, that too under a weak jockey A. Rahim, to put herself at the fore in quest of the prestigious cup, the value of which cannot be determined in cash prizes. Blue Fire, Extravagant and Philogyny may fight for places too in this third race in the racing order.

The three-year-old grey filly Secret Memories, with a fine performance of two back-to-back victories in her bag, will be on the trot to win the Jashn-e-Azadi Cup to be contested over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres for achieving a double honour of completing a hat-trick of wins as well.

The filly from Dubai Edition, out-of-Counters, Secret Memories, may face a token challenge from Lucky Cat, Bold Act and Magic Queen. All three have no luck, boldness or any magic to tame Secret Memories.

This is a class V, division II handicap race and the fourth in racing order.

The cup events may attract the attention of the expected bumper crowd of sports connoisseurs with some fine thoroughbreds jostling for supremacy.

This is a class V, division one, handicap race and the fifth one in racing order.

The August Cup a class V, division II handicap race over 1,000 metres has the biggest field of 17 runners, if they all make it at the starting gate. The event is packed with form horses and good sprinters to make it an open affair. However, on recent form and performances the ones on chance are the quartet of Emperor, Gulf Line, Diamond Sky and Brave Heart. This will depend on the selection of riders by the owners to ride in this race.

It has been seen that often owners select a weak rider in order to get better odds and their gamble often fails due to bad riding. This will be the fourth race in racing order.

The four-year-old filly Smore Chance and Scarlet Empress are looking good in the first race. The first named has already had two straight wins to her credit and will be going all out to make it three in-a-row. But this time her task seems difficult in the presence of Scarlet Empress and Credit Card, who may prove constant thorns in her way to shine one again.

Three-year-old filly Amazonia, who was beaten to second place on July 30, should make amends this time by winning the second race. This is a class VI, division II-B over 900 metres handicap race. She looks faster than Super Sonic, Dream Act and So Romantic. The trio should fight for the places.

Dream Memories, Naseeb Apna Apna and Cleopatra are the pick of the sixth and the last race in the over 900 metres distance. They would make it a closely-contested event.

A card of six events has been laid out for the day/night races. Four events will be contested over the 900 metres distance and two over 1,000 metres. The first race will be held at 5.30pm.

The following are the fields and our selections.

AZADI PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III & IV 900M:

Grace Glamour 9-0, Great Khan 9-0, Credit Card 8-10, First Passion 8-4, Mah-e-Noor II 8-2, Scarlet Empress 8-0, Smore Chance 8-0, Yard Arm 7-10, Boogy Woogy 7-4 and Sheero Khan 7-4.

Win: Smore Chance.

Place: Credit Card and Scarlet Empress.

AZADI PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II-B 900M:

Amaznia 9-0, Super Sonic 8-10, Dream Act 8-10, Quwat-e-Bhakker 8-10, So Romantic 8-8, Megabite 8-6 and Sun Downer 8-0.

Win: Amazonia.

Place: Dream Act and Super Sonic.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CUP

CLASS VI DIV I 900M:

Victory Bulbul 9-0, Rough Tough 9-0, Dam Dama Dam 8-12, Blue Fire 8-10, Trump Coup 8-10, Black House 8-10, Love Minister 8-8, Extravagant 8-7, Daizzy Against All 8-6, Royal Gesture 8-6, Murad King 8-4, Tripple Star 8-2, Philogyny 8-2, Striker 8-2, Stride To Moment 8-0 and Thanks For Nothing 7-10.

Win: Victory Bulbul

Place: Blue Fire and Philogyny.

AUGUST CUP CLASS V

DIV II 1,000M:

Nishat Malook 9-0, Diamond Sky 8-12, Emperor 8-10, Dillagi 8-10, Shakalaka 8-8, Victory Hero 8-8, Gulf Line 8-7, Iconic 8-6, Perfect Promise 8-6, Hip Hip Hurray 8-6, Baker Love 8-2, Majestic Desert 8-2, High Jet 8-0, Brave Heart 8-0, Blitz 7-10, Darnazx 7-10 and Umer Prince 7-10.

Win: Emperor.

Place: Gulf Line and Diamond Sky.

JASHN-E-AZADI CUP CLASS V

DIV I 1,000M:

Lucky Cat 9-2, Secret Memories 8-12, Munsaf 8-10, Magic Queen 8-10, Moj Mayla 8-10, Pick Of The Day 8-1, Hallow Dancer 8-0, The News 8-0, Sweet Lady 8-0 and Bold Act 7-12.

Win: Secret Memories.

Place: Magic Queen and Lucky Cat.

AZADI PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II-A 900M:

Naseeb Apna Apna 9-0, Cleopatra 9-0, Harry Can Run 9-0, Royal Storm 9-0, Hitler 9-0, Royal Deal 8-10 and Dream Memories 8-10.

Win: Naseeb Apna Apna.

Place: Cleopatra and Dream Memories.