LAHORE, Nov 4: A card of six events with a sizeable turn out has been drawn up for the midweek Lahore Gymkhana races to be held at the Racecourse on Wednesday.

In all, 80 horses have been accepted for the six events. With the exception of eight horses in the first race, there are 11 to 16 each in the remaining events.

It would be a challenge for the punters to pick winners, particularly in the last three events, having 16 runners each barring last-minute withdrawals.

Unknown pedigree horses dominate each event on numerical strength. All races will be held over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres.

Wednesday’s card is rather unique in a way that some new runners besides those running after a long break from the course are taking part, whose performance may be unpredictable.

After the Oct 26 Lahore Race Club (LRC) stewards election, they have come down hard to cleanse the races malpractice. They have banned the entries of scores of unfit horses, suspended and fined riders involved in not allowing their mounts to run on merit or employing tactics to disturb the running of horses installed public fancy. Their genuine efforts to make the sport transparent have been hailed by every section of the racing industry. The most laudable step is doing away with the practice of changing riders at the bookmakers’ demand.

If the same tempo is maintained, the objective of highly competitive and clean equine sport is not far off.

The feature event, the Kalar Kahar Plate, class VI, division I and II combined has 16 runners, if there are no last-minute withdrawals. Of them, Brave Heart, Dream Memories and Snow Fall should fight for the top honours.

If all are on the job, this would be a closely contested race with the pendulum swinging on any one’s side. This will be the sixth and last race of the day.

The fifth and supporting event, the Kalar Kahar Plate, class VI division III & IV has 16-runners barring last-minute withdrawals.

Of them High Quality, Dream Act, Kamla and Sun Ray look on chance. High Quality, who was beaten by Creek Cat last Wednesday should make amends and emerge victorious this time.

Red Baron, Candidate and Book Bet look good in the fourth race. They should fight it out for picking up the spoils.

The dark bay mare Smore Princess, who registered a commanding victory last Wednesday, will be on the trot to make it a two-in-a-row in the third race. She looks the day’s best proposition vis-à-vis her 15 opponents, if all make it up at the start.

The first and the second race consists of runners in the lowest division of class seven, known for their inconsistency. On recent form and performance in races, Racing Bridge in the opener and Alpha Juliet in the second look the best.

The first race will be held at 1.00pm.

Following is the field and our selections:

SIALKOT PLATE CLASS VII

DIV IV 1,000M:

Anarkali 9-0, Lal Pari 8-10, Raftar-e-Seher 8-10, Racing Bridge 8-10, Aa Ja Aa Ja 8-9, Raza The Great 8-2, Pakistani 8-1 and Pukar 7-10.

Win: Racing Bridge.

Place: Lal Pari and Aa Ja Aa Ja.

SIALKOT PLATE CLASS VII

DIV III 1,000M:

Sohna Murad 9-0, Kainat 9-0, Khushi 8-10, Victory Tiger 8-10, Kiss Of Love 8-9, Babbu Jee 8-6, Shalimar 8-6, Come On 8-6, King’s UK 8-4, Alpha Juliet 8-1, Blank Cheque 7-13, Sudden Attack 7-11 and Naseer Love 7-4.

Win: Alpha Juliet.

Place: Kiss Of Love and Come On.

SIALKOT PLATE CLASS VII

DIV II 1,000M:

King Of Kings 9-0, Smore Princess 9-0, Moj-e-Sikanderi 9-0, Gypsy 8-10, Man Mayla 8-10, Green Desert 8-10, Leader’s Wing 8-8, Farjan Prince 8-7, Pure Power 8-5 and Bioactive 7-8.

Win: Smore Princess.

Place: Leader’s Wing and Farjan Prince.

SIALKOT PLATE CLASS VII

DIV II 1,000M:

Abeer-e-Sehar 9-0, Partner Choice 9-0, Book Of Music 9-0, Silver Arrow 9-0, Aflatoon 9-0, Rani 9-0, Boski 9-0, Red Baron 8-11, Candidate 8-11, Naveed-e-Sehar 8-10, My One 8-10, Snow White 8-10, Master Jee 8-10, Muskan 8-8, Sana My Love 8-3 and Book Bet 7-11.

Win: Red Baron.

Place: Candidate and Book Bet.

KALAR KAHAR PLATE CLASS VI DIV III & IV 1,000M:

Kamla 9-0, Love Minister 9-0, Murad King 9-0, High Quality 8-13, Amazing Boy 8-13, Dream Act 8-10, Regulation 8-6, Bashayeash Prince 8-2, Mantar Prince 8-2, Delux 8-0, Black King 7-12, Best Friend 7-12, Sun Ray 7-10, Golden Falcon 7-4, Dogar Gift 7-4 and Hikmat 7-4.

Win: High Quality.

Place: Dream Act and Sun Ray.

KALAR KAHAR PLATE CLASS VI DIV I & II 1,000M:

Poris 9-2, Maharani 9-2, Brave Heart 9-2, Warrior Prince 9-2, West Ridge Boy 9-0, Zoaq 8-12, Sikander 8-8, Princess Aman 8-6, Snow Fall 8-3, Pretty Girl 8-2, Dream Memories 8-2, Desert Whisper 7-12, Miss Brave Heart 7-12, Hitler 7-10 Billoo, The Great 7-4 and Royal Comamnd 7-4.

Win: Snow Fall.

Place: Brave Heart and Dream Memories.