KARACHI: The Kashmir Day Cup seems to be a two-horse race between bay horse Night Vision and mare Heer when the winter Gymkhana race meeting takes place at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

The meeting coincides with the Kashmir Day, held to show solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir, and a five-race card has been dished out for the day.

Both Night Vision and Heer look fancied among the quartet who will vie for honours in the five furlongs cup race under top scale order I and II. It is the last race of the card and also the day’s feature event.

Though Heer had defeated Night Vision by a length in their last outing together on Jan 14, the latter enjoys 20 pounds handicap advantage over the former which is likely to help him in avenging the defeat. The other two contenders in the run are Robert and Princess Maria.

Chestnut mare Soldier Girl, who finished off the frame in her last race, is tipped to atone to her last defeat to clinch the opening race

under scale order VIII being run over four furlongs. She is expected to be chased by gelding Faisal Choice and bay horse Zayan among nine starters.

Bay horse Baraco, who had to be content with second place in his last two races, is likely to dominate the next race under scale order VI and VII being contested over four-and-a-half furlongs. The race has 13 acceptors.

Baraco would have to overcome mare Fiona and chestnut horse Faster Than You among others, to win the honours.

Mare Angel Love looks the best bet and is expected to return to winning ways in the third race under scale order IV and V being run over four-and-a-half furlongs. Seven horses will face the starter at the starting gate.

She may be followed by another mare Sweet Golden for second place on board.

Either of bay horse Geo Jalal and colt Geo Baba look destined to excel in the fourth and supporting race under scale order III and IV being run over four-and-a-half furlongs. Filly English Doll is expected to follow the winner in a field of five horses.

The first race starts at 2pm.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2023