KARACHI: Four-year-old colt Pakistani Star looks poised to bask in yet another glory should he lift the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup in the winter Gymkhana race meeting taking place here at the Karachi Racecourse on Monday.
The Pakistani Star, who won the Derby in Lahore earlier this year, made his mark by winning the Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara Memorial Cup at the KRC last month. The race was contested over a mile.
If one goes by his recent performance, he is tipped to get past four other contenders in the prestigious race that will go over 10 furlongs. The other aspirants in the fray are Thunder Star, Hotman, Royal Stone and Thunder Sky.
Pakistani Star, who has come from Lahore, is expected to be chased by chestnut horse Thunder Star.
The Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup is a handicap race for three-year-old and upwards thoroughbred and half-bred horses. It is the eighth race of a nine-race card drawn for the day. The first race starts at 12:00pm.
A full house is expected to turn up at the KRC to cheer their favourites as the day has been declared as a public holiday.
A sum of Rs1 million has been set aside for the Gold Cup winner out of a total prize money of approximately Rs4.3 million.
Three-year-old filly Punch Line is tipped to dominate the 2000 Guineas of Pakistan and may be followed by colt Sand Man among seven starters. The race will be contested over a mile.
Four-year-old filly Queens Pride looks smart to capture the X-Mas Cup by getting past half-a-dozen opponents in the six-furlong contest under top scale order I. Bay horse Pedro is likely to follow her footsteps for second slot.
The Nursery Cup appears to be a two-horse race between filly Victoria and colt Swift Retort. The race has a small field of four horses.
Colt Majestic Warrior is likely to make amends by winning the Managing Committee Cup which has a field of seven acceptors. Bay horse Kashmir Star looks a better choice for the second place.
Bay horse Koko Prince, colt Man of Promise, chestnut colt Mr. Magic and chestnut filly Hessa are likely to win honours in the other four races of the day.
Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2023
