LAHORE, April 1: A record turnout of unknown pedigrees, mostly, is all set to take part in a seven-event card drawn for the midweek Lahore Gymkhana races on Wednesday.

There are 99 acceptors in all, barring last-minute withdrawals, the highest ever number of horses participating in the gymkhana races, thanks to the induction of unregistered, unknown pedigree horses. The Lahore Race Club (LRC) in the past has been known to have faced an acute shortage of entries as a majority of owners had reservations about entering their thoroughbreds in the April to August summer races. But the influx of unknown pedigree animals from the UK has filled this void. Despite an uproar by owners and breeders when such horses were first introduced for racing, today even those who had initially opposed to the idea are themselves running such animals with their colours.

Wednesday’s card seems to be carefully arranged with the horses handicapped tightly to result in close finishes. There will be several new entrants in the field when four races will be gone over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres and three over 800.

Four of the runners, namely, Honest Minister, Striker, Big Choice and Brave Heart are seemingly on chance in the feature event, the Kundian Plate Class VI, Division I race, which has 13 runners.

The bay Honest Minister, a consistent performer, has been knocking at victory’s door for a while now and Striker although a speedy colt, has been lightly raced. This will be the sixth race in the racing order.

The first and supporting event, the Kundian Plate Class VI, Division II, has 16 runners, if there are no last-minute withdrawals. Rang Dey Basanti, Murad King, Creek Cat and Noor-un-Nisa look good on form. Jewna, who has come down from Class V, is a cut above the rest in class but is running after a long time. They should all fight for the spoils.

Mama Mia, Great Khan, Geo Bhakkar and Pumey De Jan should also be fighting for the spoils, with the first three having placed second in one or the other of their previous races while the fourth one has not yet been tried. The race should have them fighting for the spoils too.

Dark bay mare Dream Land looks good for the fourth race followed by Lucky Coin and Sher-e-Lahore.

The third race has the biggest field of 18 runners. Khan Baba, Mah-e-Noor, Hikmat and Sherni look good on handicap. On form, Khan Baba, who registered an easy win last Wednesday, should be making it a two in-a-row.

Five-year-old bay mare Rajwali, whose erratic running earned her the fourth position on March 26, should be winning the second race. Pure Power, Sana and Pretty should fight for the places too.

The seventh and last race comprising horses demoted to the lowest division in Class VII looks like a free for all between 14 runners. Whoever earns the lead first in this race would win it too. On handicap Muskan, Kiss Of Love, Kashif Da Gulshan and Anarkali may fight for the spoils with the last one yet to appear on the board.

The first race will be held at 12.30pm.

Following is the field and our selections:

KUNDIAN PLATE CLASS VI DIV II 1,000M:

Rang Dey Basanti 9-2, Jewna 9-2, Murad King 9-0, Lady Grey 8-12, Venus 8-12, Creek Cat 8-12, Gold Round 8-8, Mantar Prince 8-6, Sir Ivanhoe 8-6, Happy Dancer 8-4, Lighting Muqeem 8-4, Noor-un-Nisa 8-4, Sun Downer 8-2, Dream Memories 8-2, Sun Ray 8-2 and Boogy Woogy 7-12.

Win: Noor-un-Nisa.

Place: Murad King and Rang Dey Basanti.

JOHARABAD PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 1,000M:

Rajwali 9-0, Porsche 9-0, Lucky Boy 9-0, Red Baron 8-12, Lucky Bhakkar 8-10, Sohail 8-10, Mere Lal 8-10, Pure Power 8-8, Bagh-o-Bahar 8-8, Shandar 8-8, Nazi Gulshan 8-8, Don,t Touch Me 8-4, Waqas Prince 8-2, Sana 7-10, Sohna Noor 7-10 and Pretty 7-8.

Win: Rajwali.

Place: Pure Power and Sana.

JOHARABAD PLATE CLASS VII DIV I 800M:

Leader’s Wing 9-0, Polo Lounge 9-0, Parwana 9-0, Pawan Princess 9-0, Mera Chan 9-0, Manmoji 9-0, Sana Choice 9-0, Geo Super 9-0, Hikmat 9-0, Khan Baba 8-12, Mah-e-Noor 8-10, Independence Day 8-10, Sudden Attack 8-10, Chocolate Boy 8-8, Sherni 8-8, Best Owner 8-8, Rokrra 8-4 and Shahbaz Love 8-4.

Win: Khan Baba.

Place: Sherni and Mah-e-Noor.

KUNDIAN PLATE CLASS VI DIV III 1,000M:

Lucky Coin 9-0, Big Power 9-0, Dream Land 9-0, Arsome prince 9-0, High Quality 9-0, Warid 9-0, Jageerdarni 8-11, Tosca 8-6, White Oaks 8-4, Dream Prince 8-4, Sun Shine 8-2, Sher-e-Lahore 8-2 and Regulation.

Win: Dream Land.

Place: Sher-e-Lahore and Lucky Coin.

KUNDIAN PLATE CLASS VI DIV IV 1,000M:

Great Khan 9-2, Geo Bhakkar 9-0, Mama Mia 8-10, Pumey De Jan 8-10, Great Rhythm 8-8, Dimple 8-6, Little Love 8-0, Dogar Gift 7-8 and Black King 7-8.

Win: Mama Mia.

Place: Geo Bhakkar and Great Khan.

KUNDIAN PLATE CLASS VI DIV I 1,000M:

Honest Minister 9-0, Murad The Great 8-10, Brave Heart 8-8, Striker 8-6, Dream Act 8-6, Babbu The Great 8-4, Bashayeash Prince 8-2, Magic Queen 8-2, Chimera 8-0, Faryal 8-0, Big Choice 8-0, Major Rana 7-10 and Dream Catcher 7-10.

Win: Honest Minister.

Place: Big Choice and Striker.

JOHARABAD PLATE CLASS VII DIV III 800M:

Anarkali 9-0, Blank Cheque 9-0, Kipsha Gulshan 8-10, Changer 8-10, Nasir Love 8-10, Aman 8-6, Muskan 8-4, Trigger happy 8-4, Sohni Bulbul 8-4, Summaya 8-0, Kiss Of Love 8-0, Kashif Da Gulshan 7-12, Golden Queen 7-12 and Pattola 7-12.

Win: Muskan.

Place: Kiss Of Love and Kashif Da Gulshan.