KARACHI: Eight horses are set to feature in The New Year Cup which figures prominently in a four-race card of the winter Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Saturday.

The races not only heralds New Year but at the same time commemorates three decades of the existing Racecourse.

It is pertinent to mention that spread over an sprawling 245.1 acres, the Karachi Race Club (KRC) was re-located from behind Cantonment Station in 1988 and the first race was held in 1989.

The New Year Cup, which is third race of the days programme, is also the feature event, combined top scale order I and II and will go over five furlongs.

The supporting and the last race, scale order III and IV, will also be contested over five furlongs and has attracted seven starters.

Of the remaining two races, first will be held over four furlongs while the next four-and-a-half furlongs.

The first race gets into action at 2.30pm.

Following is the field and selection:

THE NEW YEAR PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII 4 F:

Fakhr-e-Kashmir 9-0, Secret Mind 8-10, Paris 8-7, Red Star (Sala Star) 8-7, Mehak 8-5, Sharapova 8-2, Plawasha 8-0, Sassy Gold 8-0, Quetta Queen 7-8, Aas Pass 7-6.

Win: Paris.

Place: Red Star and Sharapova.

THE NEW YEAR PLATE SCALE ORDER IV, V, VI AND VII 4 ½ F:

Native Prince 9-0, Duran Duran 8-11, Queen’s Best 8-2, Black Smoke 7-10, I Gold 7-7, Sonia Again 7-4, Blue Revenue 7-0.

Win: Native Prince.

Place: Black Smoke.

THE NEW YEAR CUP SCALE ORDER I AND II 5 F:

Whip’M 10-6, Toofan 9-6, Ayaash 9-0, Chief Sahab 8-12, Swarovski 7-10, Ghazi Gift 7-6, Sweet Victory 7-4, Dhannak 7-2.

Win: Whip’M.

Place: Toofan and Swarovski.

THE NEW YEAR PLATE SCALE ORDER III AND IV 5 F:

Poetry 9-0, Meri Saba 8-12, Baab-e-The Rani 8-11, Tip Top 8-8, Saba 8-3, Lovely Baby 8-1, Luck Pass 7-12.

Win: Poetry

Place: Baab-e-The Rani.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2019