KARACHI: Half-bred filly Queen’s Pride is expected to win the First Lady Cup should she maintain her form in the winter Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

With back-to-back wins under her belt, she is on course to complete a hat-trick of wins by overcoming eight opponents in the cup race to be run over five furlongs.

The race, which is also day’s feature event under top scale order I and II, is the last of a five-race card that has been drawn for the day.

She is likely to be followed by mare Princess Maria and bay horse Gold Company for the next two places on board. However, if on job, mare Spirit who finished off the frame in her last two outings, can bring an element of surprise.

Gelding Faisal Choice is on chance to make amends by capturing the opening race under scale order VIII being run over four furlongs.

Faisal Choice, who had to be content with second place in his last outing, is tipped to dominate the race which has nine acceptors.

Bay colt Al Sabah seems poised to clinch the second race under scale order VI and VII to be contested over four furlongs.

Mare Carolina’s Call who has failed to open her account in last four outings may pull off an upset if tried by connection.

Bay horse Cracks Man looks smart to pick up spoils in the third race under scale order V and VI to be run over four-and-a-half furlongs.

Chestnut horse Faisal The Great who occupied second place on Oct 30, is likely to atone for the loss by winning the fourth and supporting race under scale order III and IV being run over four-and-a-half furlongs.

Mares Galileo Lady and Sweet Golden look good for claiming the next two places on board respectively. 10 horses will face the starter in the race.

If tried, bay horse Wild Fire may create quite a stir.

Meanwhile, contrary to the long tradition, the Quaid-e-Azam Trial Cup could not take place this year which has annoyed the racegoers.

“The cup was not organised due to lack of entries,” a spokesperson for the KRC told Dawn.

The first race starts at 1:30pm.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2022