LAHORE: The country premier horse race, the Pakistan Derby 2018 is all set to test the nerves of the pundits, the sport and as well the stamina, speed and endurance of the national bred colts and fillies on Sunday here at the Lahore Race Club.
It has been quite a while when the field in the derby was seen filled to the level it is today. In the previous edition of derby when Big Bravo was the winner just five horses competed but this year there are nine. The derby is expected to blast into action at around 3.30pm while the day will start at 11.30am.
This year all eyes are on Sultan One to take the derby as it did by winning the trials last month. But by winning the trials it should not be believed that the 2400m run is going to be easy because this four-year old breed line owned by Mian Khan and Asif Khokhar is going to face tough competition from Gujrat One of Mohammad Qasim.
In the prediction of stewards these two Sultan One and Gujrat One would take first and second positions but a surprise performance is expected from Prince Of Gawalmandi. Apart from Price of Gawalmandi, its owner Shahid Mahmood Goga has also fielded Big Faith. So today’s derby is going to be full of competition and thrill because that does not mean the favouirtes are very good apart from the four names given above, the other five – Dance Alone, Sher-e-Niaz Baig, Prince, Ned’s Dream and Delectable, participants also have several wins under their belt.
Keeping the derby aside, the whole day at the Lahore Race Club is going to be fully active because another 10 races are scheduled to be held from morning till evening. The day will start with five Indus Plate races, followed by the Breeders Cup, Queen Elizabeth II Challenge, Tarbela Dam Cup, Ziarat Cup and then the division II and II plate race.
All the Indus Plate races are of 1000m and are filled with near maximum participants while the National Breeders Cup have eight participants who will runs for 1400m. This race is reserved for colts and fillies of the age of three years with favourites being Goleki Queen for the first place, Al Akbar for second position and fluke may come from Victim of Love. In the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge, which is a handicap race for 4 year old thoroughbred, have a tough competition because a selected lot of six horses would show their speed and endurance.
In this 2000m distance race going to be held after the derby, Big Brother is favourite while Dardawan is expecte to take the place and Right to Dream had a dream to surprise everyone.
Tarbela Dam Cup is a class-VI and division I-II race of 1200m distance. Here too things would go neck and neck with a reason that seven to ponies of the same class are up against each other. But pundits believe that Arnaj is better of all while Street Smart may come second and if there is going to be an exceptions performance then that would come from Light The Day.
Ziarat Cup, which is second last race of the day is in class VII and division I. Baab-e-The Rani is in the expectations of stewards would cover the one-mile distance ahead of 15 ponies registered for the race. They believe that Samore Princess may take the place with Race The Moon springing a surprise.
Today’s races, favourites and total participants:
1st race: Indus Plate Class-VII, Division-V, Distance 1000m, 18 ponies
Win: Stella, place: Crazy Cat Lady, fluke Mehmoor Princess
2nd race: Indus Plate Class-VII, Division-IV&V, Distance 1000m, 15 ponies
Win: Sign of Blessing, place: Lead Them Home, fluke: Aziz Prince
3rd race: Indus Plate Class-VII, Division IV, Distance 1000m, 12 ponies
Win: Very Special, place: Real Commando, fluke: Zaheer Princess
4th race: Indus Plate Class-VI, Division-III-IV, Distance 1200m, 14 ponies
Win: Chan Makhna, place: Love You True, fluke: Salam-e-Dera
5th race: Indus Plate Class-VI, Division-II-III, Distance 1200m, 11 ponies
Win: Loving Memory, place: Marshal Attack, fluke: Voice of Silence
6th race: The National Breeders Cup, For three years old, Distance 1400m, eight ponies
Win: Goleki Queen, place: Al Akbar, fluke: Victim of Love
7th race: The Pakistan Derby 2018, 4 years old Pakistani colts and fillies only. Distance 2400m, nine ponies
Win: Sultan One, place: Gujrat One, fluke: Prince of Gawalmandi
8th race: The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, Handicap race for 4 year old, Distance 2000m, six ponies
Win: Big Brother, place: Dardawan, fluke: Right to Dream
9th race: The Tarbela Dam Cup Class-VI, Division I-II, Distance 1200m, seven ponies
Win: Arnaj, place: Street Smart, fluke: Light The day
10th race: The Ziarat Cup Class VII Division I, Distance 1000m, 15 ponies
Win: Baab-e-The Rani, place: Samore Princess, fluke: Race The Moon
11th race: Indus Plate Class-VI, Division II-III, Distance 1000m, 17 ponies. Win: Aye Desert, place: Golden Pound, fluke: Taitla Pride.
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