Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup tops heavy field at KRC today.

Byline: Anwar Zuberi

KARACHI -- Defending champion six-year-old bay horse Big Bravo will be aiming for a hat-trick when the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup takes place in the winter Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

The thoroughbred son of the sire Dunhill Star and mare Perfect Pirouette had coasted to a two-length victory over another bay horse Toofan in the 10 furlongs contest for a repeat performance last year with Lahore's rider Aftab Chaudhry in the saddle. On that occasion he was sent by trainer Tanvir Abbasi.

Toofan was ridden by senior rider Mohammad Nasir, who met with tragic death after falling from his mount Thunder King in the concluding race last Sunday (Dec 22).

Big Bravo will be up against seven opponents in the annual event, a handicap race for three-year-old and upwards Pakistani horses to be contested over 10 furlongs. The challengers are Determination, C R 7, Brave Son, Victor, Big Faith, Subha Sadiq and Brave Champion.

Besides the Quaid's Cup, the Nursery Cup, the X'Mas Cup, the 2,000 Guineas of Pakistan and the Rasheed Jung Memorial Cup are part of a healthy nine-race card.

Apart from memorial cup, a sum of Rs1.8m is at stake in the remaining four cups. The Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup winner will earn Rs500,000 with the runner-up getting Rs125,000 and third-place finisher Rs75,000.

Five riders - Aftab Chaudhry, Mohammad Hanif, Deenar Mirwani, Bilal Ahmed and Aamir Pervez - have arrived in the city from Lahore besides turf accountants and the race-goers for the spectacle.

As many as nine horses will make their debut on Sunday. They include By Mistake, Sugar Rush, Aiya Sultan, Abdullah Princess, Golra Pride, Thor, Velocity, Raven and Pink Point, As many as 88 horses will `compete for the honours barring last-minute withdrawal(s).

The KRC has been tastefully decorated with photographs of the father of the nation, colourful buntings, and banners.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail is expected to grace the occasion.

The first race starts at 12noon.

Following is the field and selection:

THE QUAID PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII - 4A1/2 F

Dekh Tamasha 9-0, Adeel Prince 8-13, Tehzeeb 8-13, Rukhsar 8-13, Amazing Boy 8-13, Pin Point 8-11, Humaira Choice 8-10, Petra 8-10, Mera Dost 8-10, Galileo Lady 8-10, Fast Lady 8-9, Aas Pass 8-9, Sana Choice 8-6, Lady Surpass 8-3.

Win: Adeel Prince.

Place: Tehzeeb and Rukhsar.

THE QUAID PLATE SCALE ORDER VII and VIII - 4A1/2 F:

Sanober 9-0, Sonia Again 8-12, No Try 8-12, Darshan...