March 13, 2002	Wednesday	Zilhaj 28, 1422

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KARACHI, March 12: My Freedom, a bay four-year-old colt owned by Abdul Raza, silenced the racing critics on Tuesday afternoon, sprinting to victory in the main event of the Winter Gymkhana Meeting held at the Karachi Racecourse.

With jockey Ahmed in the saddle, My Freedom although making an appearance in a race after nearly three months, never let his owner down, scorching the turf over six furlongs in a smart time of one minute 17 3/5 seconds.

My Freedom was chased throughout the race by the favourite Sabza Choice, finishing second, five lengths behind, with Bella holding on to edge out Sandra’s Love for the third spot.

The winner is trained by Mansoor Ahmed, who along with his younger brother Ahmed, went on a register a brace of winners.

Earlier in the fourth race, Ahmed rode Walking Distance, another fancy, to a fine victory over the five furlong sprint, after being engaged by stable companion Just In Fun for most part of the race. The bay colt owned by Akhtar Ali is also trained by Mansoor Ahmed.

Also figuring with a good double on Tuesday afternoon was jockey M. Nasir, who piloted Royal Wisdom to a thrilling victory in the second event, after being challenged in a neck and neck duel by Sajan Black (M. Faiz), in the home stretch.

Both the runners passed the winning post in a photo-finish, but the magic eye of the camera awarded the race to Royal Wisdom by a short head.

In this race the 13-year-old bay mare I Don’t Care with riding boy Bashir Karim astride, stumbled and fell in the straight and had to be destroyed after breaking a fetlock. The rider mercifully got away with slight bruises.

Not being satisfied with his earlier success, M. Nasir went on to win the next race astride Bach Fly, beating the favourite My Lucky Star by three lengths.

Bach Fly made it two winners in a row for owner Yaqoob Butt and trainer M. Tufail.

But the racing honours were certainly reserved for Shahrukh’s four- year-old bay filly Smiling Senorita, who went on to register a hat trick of wins for the beaming owner, beating stable companion Aziz Love by just 3/4 of a length. Seasoned jockey Mujahid Ali rode the winner, which is trained by Iftikhar Ali.

In this race, a bay colt Rolling Stone from the Faisal Farooq stables, making his first appearance on the racing track, fell down with both shoulders dislocated. The colt was soon put out of his misery by the Resident Vet officer. Riding boy Naveed astride, escaped unhurt.

Owner-trainer Iftikhar Ali was not to be left behind, when his bay gelding Hamza Saheb, partnered once again by riding boy Kashif Ali, registered a narrow victory over the late appearing Tomahawk, after collaring front runner Golden News half a furlong from the winning post.

The first race on the programme was won by our second best Powerful Tarzan, beating our fancy Royal Springs by one and half lengths.

The winner partnered by Moula Bux, is owned by Faqir Mohammad Gujar and trained by Aslam Bashir.

The next race meeting is scheduled for Thursday,

March 14.

Following are the results:

PAK PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-IV 5F

Powerful Tarzan (Mr. Faqir Mohammad Gujar) 8-11 Moula Bux 1, Royal Springs 8-7 Saif Mohammad 2, Smart Boy 8-9 M. Faiz 3, Sher Khan 7-11 Najam Iqbal 4.

Also ran: Night Hero, Spring Fair, Money Make Music, Clever Cat and Vicky Jee.

Won by 1 1/2L, Neck, 1 1/4L. Time 1 min 10 3/5 sec. Winner trained by Aslam Bashir.

PAK PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-III 5F

Royal Wisdom (Syed Ali Gouhar Shah) 8-12 M. Nasir 1, Sajan Black 7-13 M. Faiz 2, Crorepati 8-10 M. Usman 3, Little Sunny 8-9 Nasim Ahmed 4.

Also ran: Shining Rock, Aatish Fishan, Eye Catcher, Bright China, Law Of Nature, Fantazm, Richy Rich, Abr-e-Noor, Lucky Love, Prism Of Life, Fast Spin and I Don’t Care.

Won by Sh-hd., 5L, 5 1/2L. Time 1 min 8 sec. Winner trained by Talib Hussain.

PAK PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-II 5F

Bach Fly (Mr. Yaqoob Butt) 9-0 M. Nasir 1, My Lucky Star 9-0 Faisal Khan 2, Raysham 7-11 Asghar Ali 3, Much Better 8-2 Raees Ahmed 4.

Also ran: Surprise Again, Mark, Lawrence Of Arabia, Ustadon Ka Ustad, Small Wonder, Jubilant Action, Baa Wafa, Tanveer-e-Sehar, Be Wafa, and Striker.

Won by 3L, 13/4L, 4L. Time 1 min 7 3/5 sec. Winner trained by M. Tufail.

PAK PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-I 5F

Walking Distance (Mr. Akhtar Ali) 9-2 Ahmed 1, Wonder Thunder 8-1 M. Nasir 2, Just In Fun 7-12 Saif Mohammad 3, Janisar 8-11 M. Yousuf 4.

Also ran: Lightening Arrow, Venus Arrow, Pilot, Sada-e-Lajpal, Guriya Phool, Shining Steel, Splendid Winner, Black Magic, Black Champion, Nadan, Ever Shine and Lover’s King.

Won by 5L, 1/2L, 1 1/2L. Time 1 min 7 sec. Winner trained by Mansoor Alam.

PAK PLATE CLASS IX DIV VII 5F

Smiling Senorita (Mr. Shahrukh) 9-0 Mujhid Ali 1, Aziz Love 8-8 Kashif Ali 2, Lover’s Life 3, Be Warn 7-13 Asghar Ali 4.

Also ran: Dushtiyani, Jet Setter, Laurel, Quick Mover, Lover’s Line, Shama, Blue’s Night, Be Warn, Donatello, Royal Honest, Dil Farib, Done Is Done, Genuine Risk, Sone Pari and Rolling Stone.

Won by 3/4L, 4L, 2 1/2L. Time 1 min 6 2/5 sec. Winner trained by Iftikhar Ali.

PAK PLATE CLASS IX DIV VI 6F

Hamza Saheb (Mr. Iftikhar Ali) 8-12 Kashif Ali 1, Tomahawk 8-8 Zahoor Ahmed 2, Golden News 7-13 Saqib 2, Baby Face 8-10 Ahmed 3, Deniro 8-7 Naveed 4.

Also ran: Queen Of Hearts, and The Happy News.

Won by 1/2L, 3/4L, 1/2L. Time 1 min 20 3/5 sec. Winner trained by Owner.

PAK PLATE CLASS IX DIV IV 6F

My Freedom (Mr. Abdul Raza) 9-4 Ahmed Sabza Choice 9-0 M. Asif II 2, Bella 9-0 M. Yousuf 3, Sandra’s Love 9-0 Ghulam Shabbir 4. Also ran: Sandra’s Love, Trillionaires, and National Lining.

Won by 5L, 3L, 3/4L. Time 1 min 17 3/5 sec. Winner trained by Mansoor Alam.