KARACHI: As many as nine horses are in line for honours in the Winter Cup that figures prominently in a five-race card of the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

The Winter Cup, which is also the day’s feature event, combined top scale order I, II and III, will go over five furlongs. It is the third race in racing order.

The fifth and the concluding race which is supporting event, scale order IV and V also has a field of nine acceptors and will be contested over four-and-a-half furlongs.

As many as 11 horses will face the starter in the first race which has been classified under lowest scale order VIII and will be run over four furlongs.

Similarly, the next race features nine horses in a four furlongs sprint while seven horses will vie for honours in the fourth race.

A trio of horses — War Champion, Marshal and Brave Champion, who are all from Lahore —will make their debut in the first, second and third races respectively.

Meanwhile, as the prestigious the Quaid-i-Azam Gold Cup five weeks away from now, the races have picked up momentum which is evident from the fact that 45 horses have entered the fray for Sunday’s races.

The first race starts at 2.30pm.

Following is the field and selection:

THE WINTER PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII — 4 F:

Watson 9-0, Soldier Girl 8-13, Rukhsar 8-12, Winx 8-11, War Champion (ex-Naval Officer) 8-10, Sana Choice 8-5, Adeel Prince 8-4, Ahsan The Great 8-4, Wifi 8-2, Shiny 7-12, Fast Catcher 7-12.

Win: Watson.

Place: Winx and Wifi.

THE WINTER PLATE SCALE ORDER VII — 4 F:

Public Fancy 9-0, Starka (ex-Dam Dama Dam) 9-0, Win Win Win (ex-Cash Machine) 8-12, Dream Girl 8-12, Fast Lady 8-12, Meri Chahat (ex-Washmallay) 8-11, War Drums 8-10, Dance And Dance 8-8, Marshal 8-6.

Win: Starka.

Place: Public Fancy and Dance And Dance.

THE WINTER CUP SCALE ORDER I, II & III — 5 F:

Sweet Victory 9-6, Romeo 8-8, Mohallaydar 8-6, Black Gold 8-4, Sweet Mover 8-2, Victor 8-0, Dhannak 7-10, Cigar Girl 7-2, Brave Champion (Simba) 7-0.

Win: Victor.

Place: Mohallaydar and Black Gold.

THE WINTER PLATE SCALE ORDER V & VI — 4½ F:

Faster Than You 9-0, Piyara Faisal 9-0, Current Option 8-13, Royal Champion 8-4, Billions In Mind 7-12, Sassy Gold 7-12, Sonia Again 7-10.

Win: Royal Champion.

Place: Billions In Mind.

THE WINTER PLATE SCALE ORDER IV & V — 4½ F:

Janbaaz 9-0, Black Smoke 9-0, Queen’s Best 8-7, Turbo Jet 8-6, Dazzling Diva 8-5, Royal Fort 8-4, Sultan 8-4, Lovely Baby 8-4, Shining Arrow 8-0.

Win: Janbaaz.

Place: Sultan and Royal Fort.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2019