September 6, 2003	Saturday	Rajab 8, 1424

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LAHORE, Sept 5: A packed schedule for the Lahore Winter Meetings with an

unspecified package of stake-money to be awarded to the horses winning first three positions in a race has been announced by the Lahore Race Club (LRC) on Friday.

The eight month programme spread over 32 race meetings, studded with cup events each day, will start from Sept 14 and will end on April 18 next year. However, two more race days have been added extending the programme to May 1.

The events irrespective of class, terms and classics and handicap races will be held subject to required number of entries notified in the racing rules and a minimum of six races will be held each day.

The biggest and prestigious event of the winter meetings is undoubtedly the Pakistan Derby 2004 to be held over 2400 metres on March 7 next. This is a term race for four-year-old Pakistani colts and fillies.

Another most important event of the meetings is the Jinnah Cup, a term race for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies to be held on January 11 next.

The other important and notable cup races scheduled to be held during the 32-meeting programme are:

Muhammad Tughlaq Cup (Oct 5), Pakistan Oaks 2003 (Nov 23), Zaheer-ud-Din Muhammad Babar Cup (Nov 23), Pakistan St. Leger 2003 (Dec 7), Noor-ud-Din Muhammad Jehangir Cup (Dec 21) Christmas Cup (Dec 27), New Year Cup (Jan 4), Ghazanvi Cup (Jan 19), Qutab-ud-Din Aibak Cup (Jan 25), 1000 Guineas Of Pakistan (Feb 8), Derby Trials (Feb 22) Ghazali Cup (Feb 29, Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (March 7), Mohy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir Cup (March 14), Pakistan Oaks 2004 (April 14), Farewell Cup (April 18) and Pakistan St. Leger 2004 (May 1).

There are over 550 horses of varying ages in the stables of LRC. Their number may rise to over 600 or more by the time meetings are off to a good start.

DEFENCE DAY RACING

Meanwhile, in commemoration of the Defence Of Pakistan Day, LRC will hold eight cup events named after national war heroes and recipients of country’s highest gallantry award, Nishan-i-Haider at the Racecourse here on Sept 7.

According to an LRC steward, Lt.Col (retd:) Masood Parvez an elaborate programme has been chalked out to pay befitting tributes to war heroes, who laid down their lives in defence of motherland. He said two cup events have been sponsored by Toyo Nasic and Eden City.

The national heroes to be honoured are: Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, Capt. Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, Capt Kanral Sher Khan Shaheed, Fl. Lt. Rashid Minhas Shaheed, Major Raja Aziz Bhatty Shaheed, Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed, Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed and Sawar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed.