KARACHI: Eight horses are set to battle it out in The Defence Day Cup when it takes place in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Saturday.

The Defence Day Cup, which takes place annually, is the main attraction of a mediocre four-race card that has been drawn for the day.

To be contested over five furlongs in the top scale order I, II and III, it is the third race in day’s racing order. It is also the feature event.

The fourth and the supporting race, scale order IV, V and VI to be run over five furlongs, also feature eight horses.

The first two races will be contested over four-and-a-half furlongs.

Two horses — chestnut Sona Punjab and mare Winter — will make their debut in the opening race.

As many as 28 horses have entered the day’s races barring last-minute withdrawal.

According to schedule, the first race starts at 3pm.

Following is the field and selection:

THE DEFENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII 4 ½ F:

Lapait Lo 9-4, Sona Punjab 9-0, Winter 8-11, Duran Duran 8-6, Zarnatta 8-4, King’s Khan 7-11.

Win: Lapait Lo.

Place: King’s Khan.

THE DEFENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER VII 4 ½ F:

Bijli 9-0, Afreen 8-9, The Champion 8-8, Salam Kashmir 8-7, Race 8-6, Star Furry 7-11.

Win: Salam Kashmir.

Place: Race.

THE DEFENCE DAY CUP SCALE ORDER I, II AND III 5 F:

Tanya 10-0, Luck Pass 9-11, Doctor 9-7, Blue Fairy 9-4, Olympus 8-12, Minister Of Bhakkar 8-11, English Vinglish 8-8, Lovely Baby 7-6.

Win: English Vinglish.

Place: Minister Of Bhakkar and Lovely Baby.

THE DEFENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER IV, V AND VI 5 F:

Stylish 9-4, My Beauty 9-0, Sweet Lady 8-11, Sonia Again 8-6, K. Al Arab 8-4, Don Again 7-12, New Hope 7-12, Sea Gold 7-8.

Win: Sweet Lady.

Place: New Hope and Sea Gold.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2017