LRC's Sunday meet features four prestigious cup events

LRC's Sunday meet features four prestigious cup events

Asher Butt

Horse racing enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Lahore Race Club's 29th day of winter meetings unfolds tomorrow with an action-packed card featuring four prestigious cup events among eight exciting races.

The Sunday, March 16 program boasts the Desert Prince Cup, Queen Elizabeth-II Challenge Cup, Ravi Cup, and Mir Ikram Mahmood Memorial Cup, complemented by four Madhu Bala Plate races that promise a thrilling day of equestrian sport.

Desert Prince Cup Opens Proceedings

The day begins at 11:30 AM with the Desert Prince Cup, a Class-VII, Division-VI&VII race contested over 900 meters. Sixteen horses will vie for glory, with Raftar emerging as the pre-race favorite. Queen of Sodiwal carries strong place potential, while Abdullah Champion could provide a surprise result.

The competitive field also includes Capital City, Awais Prince, Haseeb Thrill, Thunder Prince (KRC), Dubai Love, Chika Rika, Well Regard, Jhanbaz, Maze, Mr Asia, Elon Musk, Lucky Macs, and Land Cruiser—each hoping to make their mark in the opening race.

Madhu Bala Plate Series

The second race at 12:05 PM features the first of four Madhu Bala Plate contests, this one for Class-VII, Division-V&VI horses. War Command leads the nine-horse field as favorite, with Zaman Sahib expected to secure place position. Talent could emerge as a surprise contender. Other competitors include Thunder Cloud (KRC), Pocket Power, Thunder Man (KRC), Emerging Star, Gennie, and Rayaan Prince.

At 12:40 PM, the third race—another Madhu Bala Plate for Class-VII, Division-III&IV—sees Rock N Wild as the favorite in a field of thirteen. Vartika is tipped for place, while Luckvir could spring a surprise. The competitive lineup also features Black Master, Big Dream, Qalandar, Thunder Boy (KRC), G-Three, Arcadian, Apple of My Eye, Jack, Moon One, and Zaid Pride.

The fourth race at 1:15 PM continues the Madhu Bala Plate series with a Class-VII, Division-I&II contest where Wynx leads predictions. Golden Heart is expected to follow closely, while Thunder Princess (KRC) may deliver a surprise performance. The field is rounded out by Ceaser, Haseeb Warrior, Bio Care, Deep Seek, Black Magic, and Nawab Prince (KRC).

Queen Elizabeth-II Challenge Cup: The Main Attraction

The day's highlight comes at 1:50 PM with the prestigious Queen Elizabeth-II Challenge Cup for Imported and Pakistani horses, contested over the longest distance of the day at 2000 meters. Jim And Tonic emerges as the favorite, with Sardar and Tiete expected to provide stiff competition. This distinguished race also features Melisende, Marquises, Sofia The First, Suicide Blonde, Tierney, Public Star, and Swift Retort.

Final Cup Races

The sixth race at 2:25 PM brings the Ravi Cup, a term race exclusively for three-year-olds over 1200 meters. Hi Volt leads predictions, with Princess Noor carrying place potential and Ronaq tipped for a surprise performance. The field also includes Hero, Jupiter, Parlay For Two, and Rakaposhi.

At 3:00 PM, the Mir Ikram Mahmood Memorial Cup, a Class-VI contest over 1300 meters, sees Mighty Macs as the favorite among seven participants. Prince William (KRC) is expected to secure place, while Brooklyn could surprise. Sundari, Quality Street, Thunder Breeze (KRC), and Al Ravi complete the field.

Final Race

The day concludes at 3:35 PM with another Madhu Bala Plate for Class-VII, Division-I&II horses over 1300 meters. Moni Queen leads a strong field of thirteen as favorite, with Sultan Prince tipped for place and Wonder Woman capable of a surprise performance. Western Lady, Me Raqsam, Yesteryear, Luna Afzaal, Moni Prince, Shakira, Samore City, Khokhar One, Dangerous Intention, and Vitoria complete the competitive lineup.

Race Club Secretary has announced that starting declarations will be received until 9:30 AM on Sunday, with all races to be conducted strictly without betting or wagering, in accordance with regulations.

Racing enthusiasts are expected to gather in large numbers for what promises to be an exciting day of thoroughbred competition at the historic Lahore Race Club.