July 23, 2007	Monday	Rajab 07, 1428

KARACHI, July 22: The weekly Gymkhana race meeting scheduled for Sunday at the Karachi Racecourse was abruptly cancelled owing to withdrawal of a number of horses by the owners on various grounds.

“Yes the races have been cancelled as a couple of owners pulled out their horses from the contest at the eleventh hour leaving no option then to cancel the programme,” a spokesman for the KRC told Dawn.

He replied in negative when asked would the KRC hierarchy take action against the owners for sudden withdrawals despite the fact that KRC guide was released and subsequently published in newspapers.

“How can we take any action if an owner had withdrawn his horse on medical ground by submitting a certificate,” he remarked.

However, the question which arises is that if the horses were ‘unfit’ why were they entered in handicaps and not withdrawn prior to release of acceptors.

According to the spokesman, the next Gymkhana race meeting will now be held on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a large number of race goers who turned up at the Karachi Race Club from far flung areas on given time had to return in disappointment upon knowing that the programme was cancelled.

They have termed the cancellation as ‘uncalled for’ and demanded an action against those responsible for this.

They have also urged upon the higher authorities of the KRC to ensure these cancellations should not be repeated.