LRC’s 7th winter meeting has exciting races lined up for Sunday

 LRC’s 7th winter meeting has exciting races lined up for Sunday

Asher Butt

LAHORE: The Lahore Race Club (LRC) is gearing up for a day of high-octane horse racing as it hosts the 7th day of its Winter Meeting 2024-2025 on Sunday, October 13th. With seven races scheduled, the day promises to be a treat for racing enthusiasts, featuring four Montreaux Plates, along with the prestigious Welcome Winter Cup, Bon Voyage Cup, and Toru Khan Cup. The event will showcase both seasoned champions and promising newcomers, making for an action-packed day.

The first race of the day, the Montreaux Plate (Class VII, Division-VII), will see 11 horses competing, with Sikandar Saphire marked as the clear favourite. Gifts of Gold is expected to take second place, while Galileo Lady is considered the race’s dark horse, with potential for an upset. Other notable contenders include Rayaan Prince, Jhanbaz, Mini Strom, Mafnood JR, Ubbi, Silent Melody, Merchant of Venus, and I Shall Lead.

In the second race, also a Montreaux Plate (Class VII, Division V & VI), the field will feature another 11 participants. Zaman Sahib is tipped to win, while Super Power is expected to challenge for second place. Mumraiz Prince is identified as a potential fluke. Competitors like American Star, Bilal Prince, Jawad Love, Vartika, Star Crown, Khanum Princess, Capital City, and Royal Baby add depth to the race, ensuring tight competition.

The highlight of the early races, the Welcome Winter Cup (Class VII, Division II), will see 10 horses vying for victory. Sehar is the front-runner for the cup, with Yesteryear expected to take second place. Racing fans are also keeping an eye on Dubawi’s Angel as a potential surprise contender. The race will also feature the likes of Western Lady, Dawn To Dusk, Fujairah, Hero, Timeline, Blue Ash, and Puerto Rico, ensuring a fierce contest.

The fourth race, another Montreaux Plate (Class VII, Division I), will pit nine horses against one another. Babar King is the race favourite, with Flight Line predicted to secure second place. However, Verde One could upset the favourites with a strong performance. Other contenders such as National Colour, Desert Crown, Winx, Dominus, Quality Street, Jhoom will be looking to leave their mark in this highly competitive race.

The Bon Voyage Cup, a term race for two-year-olds, promises a glimpse of the future stars of horse racing. While no favourites have been declared, the race will feature nine exciting young horses, including Brigadier, Flash, HI Volt, Perfect Again, Gabriela, Kit Kat, Luna Afzaal, Parlay For Two, and Star Light. Racing fans will be eager to see which of these horses emerges as a potential future champion.

In the day’s penultimate event, the Toru Khan Cup (Class V), six horses will compete for the coveted title. Enchanting One is expected to lead the pack, with Trigger looking strong for a second-place finish. Sundari is considered the race’s wild card. Other competitors, including Manat, Murad, and Macs King add further intrigue to this closely contested race.

The final race of the day, a Montreaux Plate (Class VII, Division III & IV), will see eight horses vying for top honours. Black Tiger is the favourite to win, while Absolutely Not is tipped to take second place. Luckvir is regarded as a fluke that could surprise the field. The race will also feature Lalay De Jan, Fairy World, Lady Champion, Deedavar, and Shining Moon ensuring a dramatic finish to the day’s events.

LRC Secretary Shahzad Akhtar expressed his excitement about the event, saying, "This day promises to be an exciting one for horse racing fans. With a diverse range of races and talented horses competing, we're looking forward to a day of thrilling sport and great performances."

The 7th Winter Meeting promises to be a spectacular day of horse racing, with something for every fan to enjoy. Racing enthusiasts and punters alike will not want to miss out on the drama and excitement that Sunday has in store.