LAHORE: A card of six races featuring the Eid Cup has been dished out for the connoisseurs of the equine sports during the 15th edition of day/night Lahore Summer Meeting at the Racecourse here on Saturday.

The races usually scheduled for Sunday have been brought forward by a day in view of the Eid-ul-Azha falling on Monday.

The Eid Cup, a handicap race for class VI horses and to be gone over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres, has nine acceptors.

Among the competitors is three-year-old colt Jharra who has already performed a hat-trick of victories last on Sunday and will be going all out to extend his incredible streak.

This thoroughbred colt came into limelight after going through a long winless drought. Among his rivals Sparking, Lorenzo and Madhuri Dixit are prominent.

The standard of the equine sports has risen qualitatively and the quality of competition and transparency in sports management on the course had made sending out one winner a well-earned accomplishment for the trainer. Three wins on the trot is an exceptional feat and seldom falling in the lot of trainers and particularly a stable, which has a dud performance for a long time.

The supporting event, the Decent Plate, Class V!! Division I to be contested over 1,000 metres, has the second largest field of 13 contestants. This looks to be a tightly handicapped race which if contested on merit will be difficult to predict the winner.

Four events will be held over the distance of 900 metres while two will be gone over 1,000 metres.

In all, 65 runners are taking part in races programmed for Saturday with the first race set to start at 4:00pm.

Following is the field and selections:

THE DECENT PLATE CLASS VII DIV I — 900M:

Qamar Choice 9-0, She 9-0, Chamak 8-10, Zoaq-e-Yaqeen 8-2, Start Me Up 7-12, Dancing Beauty 7-12, Mohni Queen 7-12,

Win & Place: Watch the ring.

THE DECENT PLATE CLASS VII DIV V — 900M:

Meri Sahiba 9-0, Turab Prince 8-10, Mehmoor Princess 8-10, Golden Stamp 8-6, Sheba 8-6, Hockey Star 8-2, Janab 7-12, Magic 7-10, Mozrat 7-10, Zahid Love 7-8, Royal Performer 7-8, Great Queen 7-8, Naroobi 7-8, Naveed Choice 7-8.

Win: Hockey Star.

Place: Sheba and Magic.

THE DECENT PLATE CLASS VII DIV IV — 900M:

Nice One 9-2, Albela 9-0, Love For Win 9-0, Black Flower (ex Sardar Jee) 9-0, New Sonia 8-12, Vegas 8-10, Parwaaz-e-Bhakkar 8-10, Bau Jee 8-6, Khan Gul 8-4, Big Foot 8-4, Zil Prince 7-8.

Win: Nice One.

Place: Bau Jee and New Sonia.

THE DECENT PLATE CLASS VII DIV III & IV — 900M:

Neeli De Malika 9-2, Qalandra 9-0, Sarai Norang 9-0, Butterfly 9-0, Mashable 9-0, Ishaq Prince 9-0, Tell Me 8-10, Moazzam Prince 8-6, Blue Max 8-6, Full Moon 8-6, King Queen 8-4.

Win: Neeli De Malika.

Place: King Queen and Full Moon.

THE EID CUP CLASS VI — 1,000M:

Jabbar Prince 9-6, Sparking 8-10, Khan Jan 8-8, Gondal Prince 8-6, Conquest 8-4, Summy Choice 8-0, Lorenzo 8-0, Jharra 8-0, Madhuri Dixit 7-8.

Win: Jharra.

Place: Lorenzo and Sparking.

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

Prince Of Lion 9-0, After Hero 8-10, Jan-e-Fida 8-6, Banjo 8-2, Nadaan 8-2, Sayban-e-Bhakkar 8-2, Baland-o-Bala 8-2, Tabdeeli Aie 8-2, Royal Runner 8-2, Salam-e-Lahore 8-2, Natalia 8-0, Helena 8-0, Ibram 7-12.

Win: Helena.

Place: Banjo and After Hero.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2019