KARACHI, July 7: Outsiders dominated the Karachi Gymkhana races which was reduced to five events after two races were declared void for want of sufficient entries on Sunday.
The mediocre card reflected on the poor management of the Karachi Race Club. The horse owners, trainers and riders are gradually losing interest because of double standards of the stewards who run the day to day races on personal whims rather than on principles.
The club management after last Saturdays (June 29) fiasco in the fourth race which was won by Mark in a photo finish with Touch of Joy failed to justify their judgement. In the absence of a photo finish camera the stewards awarded the race to Mark which was hard to make out with naked eye and the whole week this was the topic of discussion among the racing fraternity.
On Sunday, the club administration once again announced that photo finish camera is not in operation photo finish picture facility will not be available. It is a pity that the club administration could not get the camera operative in one week.
In the last race Knight Fighter bolted from the gate and ran about 10 furlongs. He should have been withdrawn but the stewards again sent it to run under normal circumstances the horse should have been withdrawn. But the stewards showed double standards.
Returning to the days racing, Mr. M. Ateeq’s three-year old, The Speed Star recorded an impressive win when he covered the distance in 1 min 4-2/5 secs and enhanced his reputation. The day’s riding honours went to young apprentice rider Amir Ali who piloted home a brace of winners through neglected Sher Khan in the second race and My Lucky Star in the fourth race of the day.
The next Gymkhana races will be held on Sunday July 14.
Following are the results:
Quetta Plate Div GV: Declared void
QUETTA PLATE DIV G IV - 5F
Sher Khan (Mr. Inayat Khan) 7-2 Amir Ali 1, Abr-e-Noor 9-2 Abdul Jabbar 2, Darbari Malang 7-13 Naveed 3 Speed Fire 7-12 Zubair Ahmad 4.
Also Ran: Atish Fishan, Millennium Era, Clever Cat, Fast Spin, Spring Fair and Royal Beauty.
Won by: 31, 51, 61. Time 1 Min 12 Secs. Winner trained by S.N. Khan.
QUETTA PLATE DIV G III - 5F
Neeli Nighahain (Mr. Akhtar Mir) 8-3 Yousuf Ikram 1, Much Better 8-9 Raees Ahmad 2, Jango 7-13 Naveed 3, Striker 7-12 Nasir Ahmad 4.
Also Ran: Venus Arrow, Raysham, Sone Pari, Prism Of Life, Black Gift, Party Time, Powerful Tarzan, Splendid Winner, Genuine Risk, Ustadon Ka Ustaad, Chhotoo, and Gharnata.
Won by 1-1/2 L, 4 L, 4-1/2 L. Time: 1 Min 10-3/5 secs. Winner trained by M. Anwar.
QUETTA PLATE DIV G III - 5F
My Lucky Star (Mr. M. Zafar) 9-0 Amir Ali 1, Just In Fun 8-8 Ahmad 2, Royal Promise 7-12 Muzaffar H 3, Simple Prayer 8-0 Naveed 4.
Also Ran: My Baboo
Won by: 6L, 9L, 10-1/2 L. Time 1 Min. 8-2/5 secs. Winner trained by M. Yaqoob Butt.
QUETTA PLATE DIV G-I - ABT 5F
Flying Bird (Mr. Agha Noman) 8-0 Ahmad 1, Shahdad Star 9-0 Faraz Ali 2, Even Top 9-0 Bashir K 3, Little Sunny 4.
Also Ran: Lucky Two, Jamaima, Black Champion, Done Is Done, Lighting Arrow.
Won by: 9L, 2-1/2 L, 1/2 L. Time 1 Min. 8 Secs. Winner trained by Mansoor Alam.
QUETTA PLATE DIV VIII - 5F
The Speed Star (Mr. M. Ateeq) 8-4 Jilani 1, Royal Lancer 8-6 Kashif Qamar 2, Knight Fighter 8-7 Muzaffar H 3, Show Time 8-11 Nadeem Akhtar 4.
Also Ran: Blue’s Night, I’m So Happy, Greek Boron, Jet Setter, Sulman Love, Sarazen, Reincarnated, Venturis Arrow, Rich Valiant, Royal Romance, Show Stopper, Pearl, Ghazan King and Aziz Love.
Won by: 9 L, 5 L, 8 L. Time 1 Min. 4-2/5 secs. Winner trained by A. Kadir.