Four cup events among eight races at LRC

LAHORE: Horse racing enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Lahore Race Club’s 29th day of winter meetings unfolds on Sunday (today) with an action-packed card featuring four prestigious cup events among eight exciting races.

The Desert Prince Cup, Queen Elizabeth-II Challenge Cup, Ravi Cup, and Mir Ikram Mahmood Memorial Cup will take place besides four Madhu Bala Plate races.

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

The field also has 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.

The second race at 12:05 PM features the first of four Plate contests, this one for Class-VII, Division-V&VI horses.

War Command leads the nine-horse field as favourite, with Zaman Sahib expected to secure place position. Talent could emerge as a surprise contender. Other competitors are Thunder Cloud (KRC), Pocket Power, Thunder Man (KRC), Emerging Star, Gennie, and Rayaan Prince.

The third race — another Madhu Bala Plate for Class-VII, Division-III&IV — sees Rock N Wild as the favourite 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 continues the plate series with a Class-VII, Division-I&II contest. Wynx is likely to win. 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).

The fifth race of the day, Queen Elizabeth-II Challenge Cup, is the main attraction, over the longest distance of the day at 2000 meters. Jim And Tonic emerges as the favourite, 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.

The sixth race 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 has Hero, Jupiter, Parlay For Two, and Rakaposhi.

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

The day concludes with another plate for Class-VII, Division-I&II horses over 1300 meters.

Moni Queen leads a strong field of thirteen as favourite, 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 lineup.