LAHORE: A competitive card of seven events, including a cup race, is all set to be gone through during the sixth Lahore Winter Meeting amidst strict compliance of Covid-19 measures here at the Racecourse on Sunday.

After a warning by Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid that for the past one week there was a gradual increase in the number of Covid 19 cases calling for strict adherence to sops for health security and safety.

The Lahore Race Club (LRC) has launched a fresh more vigorous drive for health safety, directing everyone to wear hand gloves and face mask before entering the LRC premises. At the gates test of body temperature will be compulsory and those failing to comply with the club code will be denied entry.

The feature event, the Autumn Cup class VI Division III and IV combined handicap race has odd number of seven runners to be run over 1,000 metres sprinting distance.

The beauty of the race is that each runner has a chance that makes the race most contesting and thrilling. However, two colts — Galactic Song and Young Gun — look the real contenders on the form they showed while winning their maiden, recently.

The other six races on the card belong to class seven horses. In all, 67 contestants will be on the course divided in five divisions, comprising nine to 15 runners, perhaps club’s additional racing opportunity programme to financially assist horse-owners.

The handicap in these races look tight, in majority events, ranging from nine stones to seven stones 10 pounds. That left the difference of performance within three lengths from top to bottom looking ideal to make the events closely contested. Since the entries in division five were more than two dozens it was split in to two events giving financial benefit to owners to avail.

A vast majority of race-goers want more races for thoroughbreds in beyond class VI, the owners and trainers are not willing to enter their charges. Although the weather in city has changed and is no more so hot. Even Sunday’s listed class VI Division I and II and Class V events has been declared void because of no entries.

All races will be held over 1,000 metres with the opening one starting at 1.00pm.

Following is the field and selections:

THE ATIA PLATE CLASS VII DIV V — 1,000M:

Finisher 9-0, Actolgali 9-0, Baland-O-Bala 9-0, On The spot Win 8-12, Dil Jan 8-10, Tell Me 8-8, She 8-2, Sajree 8-2, Days Gone 7-12, Bano 7-10, Piyari Guriya 7-10.

Win: Tell Me.

Place: She and Piyari Guriya.

THE ATIA PLATE CLASS VII DIV V — 1,000M:

Golden Silk 9-0, Miss Ravi Road 9-0, Azm-e-Nau 8-10, Badeera 8-10, Stella 8-10, Smiling Again 8-8, After Hero 8-8, Safdar Princess 8-6, Ask Me 8-2.

Win: After Hero.

Place: Ask Me and Smiling Again.

THE ATIA PLATE CLASS VII DIV IV — 1,000M:

Bright Gold 9-0, Minding 8-12, Eden Roc 8-12, Zoaq-e-Yaqeen 8-12, Ayubia Princess 8-12, New Rebel 8-8, La Ilam 8-8, Bright Bomber 8-8, Sky Dancer 8-8, Jee Aya Nu 8-8, Lala Rukh 8-4, Golden Pound 8-0, Red Boy 8-0, Natalia 7-12, Madiha 7-12.

Win: Ayubia Princess.

Place: Bright Gold and Red Boy.

THE ATIA PLATE CLASS VII DIV II — 1,000M:

Princess Mehera 9-0, T. Two (ex-Prince Of Lion) 9-0, Collector 9-0, Qalandra 9-0, Wind Talker 8-10, Malika Princess 8-8, Faizi Choice 8-6, Salam-e-Lahore 8-0, Prince Of Arab (ex-Aya Sultan) 8-0, Parwaz-e-Hassan 7-10, One Four Seven 7-10, Miss World 7-10.

Win: Qalandra.

Place: Prince Of Arab and Parwaz-e-Hassan.

THE AUTUMN CUP CLASS VI DIV III & IV — 1,000M:

Sparking 9-0, Gondal Prince 8-13, JF Thunder 8-11, Amazing Lips 8-9, Young Gun 8-3, Galactic Song 8-1, Salam-e-Dera 7-13.

Win: Galactic Song.

Place: Sparking and Young Gun.

THE ATIA PLATE CLASS VI DIV V — 1,000M:

Anibal 9-4, Baland-o-Bala 8-12, Madhuri Dixit 8-6, Lorenzo 8-6, The Kingdom 8-0, Legacy 7-12, Well Done Pakistan 7-10, Shah Khoobana 7-10, Barbarian’s Charge 7-10, Dazzling 7-10.

Win: Anibal.

Place: Baland-o-Bala and Legacy.

THE ATIA PLATE CLASS VII DIV III — 1,000M:

Four Char Hai 9-0, Wahab Choice 8-10, Prince Of Multan 8-10, Prince Of Multan 8-10, Khan Jee 8-8 Pehlwan 8-8, Sure Trust 8-8, Lilly (KRC) 8-6, Beneficial 8-4, Chota Dera 7-12.

Win: Khan Jee.

Place: Sure Trust and Chota Dera.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2020