KARACHI: Half-a-dozen horses are expected to battle it out for honours in the Defence Day Cup when the Gymkhana race meeting resumes after a layoff of more than six months at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

The last meeting was held on March 5 and the races were suspended on March 14 following government’s announcement of lockdown due to Covid-19.

The Defence Day Cup which is an annual feature is the fourth race in racing order and will go over four-and-a-half furlongs.

A six-race card has been dished out for the day with a good number of 47 horses making their appearance barring last-minute withdrawal.

Meanwhile, the KRC management in a circular has asked the racegoers, owners, trainers, riders. turf accountants, staff and stewards to maintain social distancing besides making face mask mandatory.

“Posters mentioning no face mask no entry has been displayed at a number points in the premises. Arrangements of complimentary face masks at the entry gate have also been made.

A spokesman of the KRC said on Saturday that some staff will be deployed in the betting ring, public stand and other places for spray.

The first race starts at 3:00pm.

Following is the field and selections:

THE DEFENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII — 4 F:

Gladiator 9-0, Kamyab 8-8, Storm Fire 8-6, Thomas (Encounter Specialist) 8-0, Wifi 7-13, Mera Dost 7-12, Amazing Boy 7-11, Petra 7-10, Paroo 7-10, Aas Paas 7-10.

Win: Amazing Boy.

Place: Paroo and Kamyab.

THE DEFENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER VI & VII — 4 F:

No Try 9-1, Hawwaam 9-0, Take Over 9-0, Galileo Lady 9-0, Usman Chandiwala 8-12, Balam Bahi 8-10, Sassy Gold 8-8, King’s Queen 8-6, Tehzeeb 8-1.

Win: Galileo Lady.

Place: Hawwam and Usman Chandiwala.

THE DEFENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER VI & VII — 4 F:

Soldier Star 9-0, Paris 9-0, Public Fancy 8-10, Meri Chahat 8-9, Soldier Girl 8-6, Darshan 8-4, Risky 8-4, Golden Stamp 7-10.

Win: Soldier Girl.

Place: Darshan and Meri Chahat.

THE DEFENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER IV & V — 4½ F:

Dhannak 9-2, Piyara Faisal 9-2, Faster Than You 8-7, Piyara Sayeen 8-5, Soldier Queen 8-2, Raven 8-2, War Drum 7-7, Starka 7-6.

Win: Piyara Sayeen.

Place: Piyara Faisal and Dhannak.

THE DEFENCE DAY CUP — 4½ F:

Balochistan Queen 8-11, Classic Leader 9-7, Thunder King 8-0, Wild Fire 8-0, Artemisia 7-11, Sugar Rush 7-11.

Win: Classic Leader.

Place: Balochistan Queen.

THE DEFENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER I, II & III — 4½ F:

Sweet Victory 10-0, Black Gold 9-6, Parachuter 8-12, Enable 9-2, Victor 7-12, Abdullah Princess 7-8.

Win: Abdullah Princess.

Place: Black Gold.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2020