LAHORE: A seven-event card, featuring the Dominator Cup is all set during the 16th Lahore Winter Meeting at the Racecourse here on Sunday.

In spite of shivering cold winter spell gripping the city, the Lahore Race Club (LRC) has received a fantastic response from horse-owners in the shape of a strong turnout in all races.

The Dominator Cup — a term race for juveniles — to be gone over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres, has attracted eight thoroughbred and half-bred two-year-old colts and fillies from reputed progenitors promising a close contest in a lively turf action.

It looks an open affair with a quartet on chance — Alizeh’s Star, Sparkling, Gole Ke Queen and Four Char Hai.

The first three named are on their course debut while Four Char Hai was placed second on last outing a fortnight back.

The supporting event the Aberdonian Plate Class VI Division III & IV has a bigger field of 11 runners, most of whom are thoroughbreds.

Top weight filly Delectable, is a speedy animal which have to her credit three random victories. The filly might face serious challenge from Don’t Stop Me, Marshal Attack and Proposal to carve out her fourth win.

Since her very first appearance on the track, the daughter of Vitelozzi out-of-Delightful Rhythm, Delectable — owned by LRC steward Fawad Ahmed Cheema — had been afflicted with signs of nervous temperament affecting her performance.

It seems she had been recuperated after registering her third success and showing normal behaviour at the starting gates. The present weather conditions may be more suitable for her now.

The other five races pertain to different divisions of the class seven, swelled by the induction of unknown pedigree horses.

The first race will be held at 1200 noon.

Meanwhile, the LRC has announced a slight alteration in the racing programme to hold the next winter meeting on Saturday (Dec 23) instead of Sunday (Dec 24).

The change has been necessitated because the Karachi Race Club (KRC) is holding the important Gold Cup races on Dec 25, a notification issued by the LRC said here on Thursday.

The LRC stewards, in the meantime, have announced certain measures to enforce discipline aimed at further improving the standard of racing, make the sports transparent and second to none in every respect.

A notification issued by the club has made it mandatory for all riders, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ riding boys to attend gymnasium practice after morning track exercises to hone their riding skill.

Arrangements have been made to acquire services of a veteran jockey to impart them training and guidance and achieve saddle skill. Those missing the gymnasium attendance will not be allowed to ride in races.

Moreover, owners and trainers have been informed that from now onwards, no groom will be allowed to carry mobile phone while leading a horse from paddock to starting gate under permission, and if anyone detected trainer will be held responsible and heavily fined.

LRC member and prominent owner Mahmood Khan praised the measures saying these would not only be helpful in bettering the standard of horse-racing but also the quality of riders as there is a dearth of good riders impairing the equine sp[orts.

Talking to Dawn he said for quality improvement the LRC needed a bunch of good riders and trainers, this lack had its negative effect on the sports in particular. The ban on carrying mobile phones by the grooms while leading horses to starting gates under permission will greatly help making sports transparent.

Following is the field and selections:

THE ABERDONIAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV V-B — 900M:

Sindhu Queen 9-0, Sweet Miracle 8-12, Aie Swair (ex-Fateh Rose)-12, Man of Principle 8-6, Preetam 8-0, Love Master 7-12, Kehkashan 7-10, Accurate Baby 7-10, Murad Queen 7-10, Kamal Prince 7-10, Agent 007 7-10.

Win: Sweet Miracle.

Place: Aie Swai and Murad Queen.

THE ABERDONIAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV V-A — 900M:

Fantastic Girl 8-12, Postpone 8-12, Dunya Deewani 8-12, Zillay Huma 8-10, Snow Ball 8-8, Daniel Bryan 8-8, Stylish Queen 8-8, Fortune 8-8, Shafay Meri Jan 8-6, Fakhr-e-Niaz Baig 8-4, Anmole One 8-4, Crazy Lady 7-12.

Win: Fakhr-e-Niaz Baig.

Place: Crazy Cat Lady and Zillay Huma.

THE ABERDONIAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV III & IV — 1,000M:

Sayban-e-Bhakkar 9-0, Poetry 9-0, Aie Desert 8-12, Piyara Jutt 8-10, Artghal 8-10, Mango 8-10, Sajree Swair 8-10, Music Boy 8-10, Sonay Ke Chirya 8-10, Check 123 8-10, Danish Love 8-10, Baa Barkat 8-8, Malika 8-8, Bredon Hill 8-6, Silent Warrior 8-2, Zohaib Love 8-2, Dil De Rani 8-2, Aas Paas 8-2.

Win: Baa Barkat.

Place: Aie Desert and Poetry.

THE ABERDONIAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV I — 1,000M:

Danzing Gold 8-10, Cat’s Eye 8-8, Love Gate 8-8, Satpara 8-7, Candle 8-6, Gondal Prince 8-6, Abdullah Princess 8-6, Helena 8-4.

Win: Danzig Gold.

Place: Abdullah Princess and Helena.

THE DOMINATOR CUP — A TERM RACE FOR TWO-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBRED AND HALF-BRED COLTS AND FILLIES — 1,000M:

Multan One 8-8, Alizeh’s Star 8-8, Montreal 8-5, Sparkling 8-5, Look Twice 8-5, Gole Ke Queen 8-5, Four Char Hai 8-1, Minding 7-12.

Win: Gole Ke Queen.

Place: Four Char Hai and Alizeh’s Star.

THE ABERDONIAN PLATE CLASS VI DIV III & IV — 1,000M:

Delectable 9-0, More Money More Party 9-0, Dazzling Queen 8-10, Chan Makhna 8-10, Dazzler 8-6, Don’t Stop Me 8-4, Blue Moon 7-12, Punjabi Rawaj 7-12, Marshal Attack 7-10, Keep It Up 7-10, Proposal 7-8.

Win: Delectable.

Place: Marshal Attack and Don’t Stop Me.

THE ABERDONIAN PLATE CLASS VII DIV II & III — 1,000M:

Boney Light 9-0, Banjo 8-10, Mr Danzing 8-6, Prince of Dubai 8-6, Zain Love 8-2, Khan Prince 8-0, Power of Dream 8-0, Rani Shah Di 8-0, Punjabi Munda 8-0, On The Spot Win 8-0, Neeli The Great 7-12, Uzair Prince 7-12, Aftab Princess 7-12, Gamble Boy 7-12, Neel Kanwal 7-12, Star of Sky 7-12.

Win: Boney Light.

Place: Mr Danzing and Banjo.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2017