KARACHI, Nov 17: A hefty sum of over Rs1.7 million will be at stake in the six cup races being held at the Karachi Racecourse next month.

According to a prospectus chalked out for the classic and semi-classic races for 2007, the stakes show slight enhancement as compared to the year gone by.

The Colts and Fillies Trials Cup, a seven furlongs handicap race for three-year-old Pakistani colts and fillies, to be held on Dec 9 carries a total purse of Rs2,20,000. According to break-up, the winner will get Rs1,75,000 plus cup, runner-up Rs25,000, third Rs15,000 and breeder of the winner Rs5,000.

On the same day couple of other horses will also vie for honours in The Quaid-i-Azam Trial Cup, a handicap race for four-year-old and upwards Pakistani horses, and The Sapphire Stakes which is a handicap race for two-year-old Pakistani colts and fillies.

The Quaid-i-Azam Trial Cup to be gone over 10 furlongs, carries Rs1,25,000 for the winner, Rs20,000 for runner-up and Rs10,000 for third position.

To be contested over six furlongs Sapphire Stakes carries the same purse as that of Quaid-i-Azam Trial Cup.

This will be followed by prestigious The Quaid-i-Azam Gold Cup, The 2000 Guineas Of Pakistan Cup and The Nursery Cup slated for Dec 25.

The winner of Quaid-i-Azam Gold Cup which is a term race for Pakistani horses four-years and above, will fetch Rs4,50,000 besides glittering cup. The following three position holders will get richer by Rs1,00,000, Rs45,000 and Rs10,000 respectively. The breeder of winner will earn Rs5,000.

A sum of Rs2,75,000 and a cup will be awarded to the winning owner of The 2000 Guineas Of Pakistan Cup. The second and third place holders will take home Rs60,000 and 30,000 respectively while breeder of winner will get Rs5,000.

Similarly, winner of The Nursery Cup carries lucrative purse of Rs2,00,000 and a cup, runner-up Rs30,000 and third position Rs15,000 with breeder of the winner getting Rs5,000.—AZ