KARACHI: The Sanghar Cup seems to be a two-horse race between bay horse Kuwait Edition and chestnut horse Thunder Star when it takes places in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Kuwait Edition stormed to a length-and-a-quarter victory over chestnut horse Violent Romeo to win the Defence Day Cup in his last outing. Thunder Star, on the other hand, had to be content with second place in September Cup.

If on job, Violent Romeo can bring an element of surprise in the cup race which is last of a six-race card. The race, which is also the day’s feature event under top scale order I, will go over five furlongs.

The fifth and supporting race under combined scale order II, III and IV is expected to be contested between gelding Thunder Smile and chestnut horse Faris. Filly Queen of Spades, if tried, can create quite a stir in a field of seven horses who will be up against each other in the four-and-a-half furlongs race.

Mare Sheba is on chance to deliver the goods by returning to winning ways in the opening race under scale order VIII to be run over four furlongs. Her likely challengers among nine horses are mare Soldier Girl and gelding Ayyan Prince.

Mare Sana Again, who was denied to make it two-on-trot in her last outing, is expected to shine in the second race classified under scale order VII being run over four furlongs. She is likely to be opposed by mares Janan and Stifee besides another mare Heer who can pull of an upset among eight competitors.

Mare Galileo Lady who sprang a surprise victory last week, looks poised to oblige punters should she maintain her form in the third race under scale order VI and VII. She is expected to be followed by mare Zahrish among half-a-dozen horses over four furlongs.

Mare Take Care who was placed fourth in her last outing is expected to make amends by winning the fourth race under scale order IV and V.

A pair of horses — chestnut horse Meharban and bay horse Thunder Love — will make their debut at the course on Sunday. Altogether, 45 horses will make their presence felt barring last-minute withdrawal(s), if any. The first race starts at 2.30pm.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2022