LAHORE: An average card of six events, featuring two cup races, highlights the 28th Lahore Winter Meeting which gets under way here at the Racecourse on Sunday.

The Mian Abdul Waheed Memorial Cup is the feature event with the class VII handicap race over 1,000 metres being held in recognition of the services of the late Lahore Race Club steward and prominent horse-owner of his time. It has 10 runners and on recent form it looks a tough battle between a trio of contenders namely Sword Of Faateh, Murtajil and Al Mujali for first spot in the fourth race of the day.

The main supporting event, the Jashn-e-Baharan Cup — a handicap race for class VII division V and VI to be gone over 1,000 metres — has a dozen maiden runners, all looking to break their duck, and is second in the racing order.

In all, 56 horses are taking part in six events, with the first race to start at 1.00pm.

Meanwhile the LRC stewards have directed all the riders to strictly observe racing rules, particularly, the crossing rule sparing two lengths ahead when crossing a rival in the race. Those riders violating the crossing rule, would be warned off for three months along with a fine amounting to Rs50,000. A notification issued by the club on Thursday ordered the riders to be punctual at the morning exercises without fail and said absentees would not be allowed to ride in races.

Another notification stated that entries for the Pakistan Derby 2024 and 1000 Guineas Of Pakistan should be sent by March 31, with fees for the races set at Rs30,000 and Rs16,000 respectively. After the due date, owners will have to pay a penalty of 10 percent of the total estimated stake-money along with the fee to enter their horses for the classics.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2023