Excitement builds as two derby champs vie for QE-II Cup on Sunday

 Excitement builds as two derby champs vie for QE-II Cup today

Asher Butt 

The Lahore Race Club is set to host its 30th-day winter meeting, featuring a card of seven races filled with anticipation and fierce competition. The day promises to be a spectacle with four Moj-e-Bahar plates alongside the highly-anticipated Syed Wajid Ali Shah Memorial Cup, Queen Elizabeth-II Challenge Cup, and the Pakistan Day Cup. The event will showcase top-notch horses vying for victory, making it a thrilling affair for equine enthusiasts.

In the Queen Elizabeth Cup, fans are eagerly anticipating a showdown between Jim and Tonic, the winner of the Pakistan Derby 2024, and last year's derby champion, Pakistani Star. The competition promises to be fierce with strong contenders like Raksh, Redrock, and Shakira also in the mix.

Other cup races, including the Syed Wajid Ali Shah Memorial and Pakistan Day Cup, boast their own set of formidable competitors, ensuring a day filled with intense racing action.

The day kicks off with the Moi-e-Bahar Plate of Class-VII and Division-VII, featuring a field of 16 horses. Al Adba is expected to lead the pack, with contenders like Jalthal and Desert Parri vying for a place. The field also includes Lalay De Jan, Pocket Power, Galileo Lady, Abdullah Love, Sultana, Silent Melody, lmran Choice, Tady Don, Olympic Queen, Vartika, Abdullah Champion, Mustang and Chhota Dawn.

 

In the second race of Class-VII and Division-IV,V&VI, Handsome is favored to lead the pack, followed by Dur-e-Adan and Puerto Rico. Competitors like Jalpana Fire, Merchant of Venus, and Fire Cracker, Fakhar-e-Sahi, Annie Power, Malik Badshah, Amigo, and Sultan Jahaniya add to the excitement.

The third race, featuring Class-VII and Division-III&IV, presents a field of 16 horses. The favorite is yet to be determined from among Deedavar (having a slight edge over others), Casper and Marryshah Star, while stiff challenge is espected from Stardom Shining Moon, Love Love, Lady Jasmine, Jalpana Prince, Quality Street, Hussan, Zaman Sahib, Challa Queen, Sehar, Kuwait Edition and Wynx.

The highlight of the day, the Syed Wajid Ali Shah Memorial Cup, is the fourth event featuring a field of seven horses. Black Platinum is expected to shine, with Galactica and Farhan King posing as strong contenders. Leisure Trip, Notorious One, Sundan, and Samson add to the competitive field.

The Queen Elizabeth-II Challenge Cup, a race for 4-year-old and above horses, presents the toughest competition of the day. Jim and Tonic lead the field, with Raksh and Pakistani Star aiming to challenge the favorite. Shakira and Redrock complete the lineup.

The Pakistan Day Cup, a Class VII and Division-I event, features a field of eight horses. Trigger is favored to win, with Western Lady expected to secure a place. Victoria (KRC) is poised to surprise, alongside other competitors like Wattoo Choice, La Belle, Welcome Sardar, Desert Crown and Shaman.

In the final race of the day, Flight Line leads the field of nine Class VII and Division-II horses. Generosity and Dominus vie for top positions, with contenders like Mufasa, Big Dream, Song Bird, Tatla Rule, Dancing Bird and Mark My Words adding to the competitive atmosphere.

With such a strong lineup of races and formidable competitors, the 30th-day winter meeting promises to be an exhilarating affair for racing enthusiasts at the Lahore Race Club.