KARACHI: The New Year Cup seems to be a two-horse race between mare Heer and bay horse Zaheer Choice when it takes place in the winter Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.
Both the horses are among five acceptors who will vie for honours in the cup race which coincides with the advent of new year. It is the last race of a six-race card and will go over five furlongs under top scale order I and II.
Heer had to be content with second place in M. Rasheed Jung Memorial Cup while Zaheer Choice finished off the frame in the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup.
Bay horse Azeem Choice is tipped to stretch his winning run should he repeat his performance in the fifth and supporting race under scale order III and IV being contested over five furlongs.
He is expected to be chased by another bay horse Cracks Man in a pack of five horses. However, if on job, bay horse Fantastico can upset the applecart.
At the outset, dark bay horse Safeer Love is likely to dominate the opening race under scale order VIII by overcoming five other contenders.
He may be followed by gelding Faisal Choice in the four-furlong contest.
Bay horse Kuwait Currency looks poised to make amends by capturing the second race under scale order VII and VIII to be run over four furlongs.
Chestnut horse Geo Channa may follow the footsteps of the winning horse.
With a win already under his belt, bay horse Raging Comet may repeat his feat by winning the third race under scale order VII to go over four-and-a-half furlongs.
Bay horses Faisal King and Baraco seem fancied for the next two places among a field of 11 horses.
If tried by connection, filly Fire Work has the potential to return with flying colours.
If all goes well, mare Sherzadi is predicted to return to winning ways by picking up spoils in the fourth race which has a field of 11 horses under scale order V and VI to be run over four-and-a-half furlongs.
She has to overcome the challenge from chestnut horse Victor and mare New Market.
The first race starts at 1:30pm.
Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2023
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