LAHORE, April 19: A crisis of entries of runners has engulfed the Lahore Race Club (LRC) which is likely to force it to curtail twice-a-week racing to only once.

With the Lahore Winter Meetings coming to an end and the advent of summer, the number of acceptors in races has been reduced considerably.

Owners of good horses have started resting their animals because of the growing heat. Although the LRC has announced a slight raise in stakemoney and also included the fourth placed among the stakemoney receivers like the first three, but it has failed to arouse favourable response entry- wise.

The number of entries continues to show downward slide. The Sunday race acceptances had to be delayed for a day because of the less number of entries.

A notification issued by the LRC has pointed out this fact and said if such a situation continues to prevail then the LRC stewards may decide to hold once a week racing.

When contacted there was a mixed reaction of the punters, owners, trainers, riders and LRC staff and employees. However, work a day employees were opposed to it.

They said that racing have been held throughout the year in the past why cant’ they be held now?

 On the other hand permanent staff and employees are happy because that will reduce their burden to half.

However, the ball is in LRC stewards court.—A.G.