KARACHI, March 23: Leo, the big roan gelding superbly ridden by champion jockey M. Nasir, galloped away with the Pakistan Day Cup contested by 12 runners over the seven furlong distance at the Winter Gymkhana Race Meeting held on Wednesday at the Karachi Racecourse.
Backed 8 to 1 for a win and three to one for a place chance, Leo beat another outsider chestnut horse Real Gift ridden by Arif Nazir by just ¾ of a length. Al Faris cruelly burdened to carry 9-11 on his back came flying in from behind to finish third with the firm favourite Fantastic Face completing the frame.
The Sindh Breeder’s Cup was picked up by three-year-old bay filly Makina, making every a furlong a winning one, sprinting over six furlongs holding off the strong challenge by Super Conqueror by 3 ¼ lengths in a race contested by only five runners.
The firm favourite Ghan Chaker was third, another fancied runner to bite the dust, with stable companion Tharkee completing the frame. Coming back after the race was won, Ghan Chaker was seen hobbling back towards the winning enclosure.
Jockey Arshad rode the winner and finished the afternoon with a brace of winners partnering Fantasia, the chestnut filly to victory, ending the pretensions of the favourite Ghazan Prince, in the last event on the afternoon’s programme.
Super Boy partnered by Mazhar Ali won the opening event from Little Sunny, closely followed home by My Majesty and top weight Taneez ridden by Asif Nazir. Last time out the rider was sent back to the riding school for his poor performance on Taneez and yesterday although he finished fourth, his performance was still not up to the mark, although later he rode well on Real Gift, finishing second in the Pakistan Day Cup.
The next race was pocketed by the bay colt Leopard, sprinting home four lengths ahead of Jaguar, with Raaz and Tag Team completing the frame.
Noor-e-Arab, a dark ay filly ridden by Ali Sher and carrying 9-2 on her back clocked one minute four 4/5 seconds sprinting over the five furlongs. But then again had Safeen-e-Arab with Tariq Baran astride been allowed to run on merit, the bay horse would have easily beaten the winner instead of finishing second half a length behind in the third race.
Aie Bahar, the bay filly with Sher Mohammad astride, completed a hat trick of winners for her owner Shah Mardan Shah II Pir Pagaro VII, beating the swift Issey Miyke by a head in a photo-finish in the following event.
Bay filly Casual Look, a new entry from Lahore and ridden by Ghulam Shabbir II, won the seventh race with plenty to spare from Ever So Clever. Sarazen sprinting in from behind grabbed the third spot from Sonia.
The next race meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 27.
Following were the results:
PAK PLATE CLASS VII DIV VI 5F
Super Boy (Mr. Akhtar Hussain Khan) 8-0 Mazhar Ali 1, Little Sunny 7-13 Ali Ahsan 2, My Majesty 8-7 Zaki Zakar 3, Taneez 9-0 Asif Nazir 4.
Also ran: Roop Ki Rani, Black Magic, Afzaal Prince, Recondition And Jango.
Won by 1/2L, 3/4L, 5L. Time 1 min 11 4/5 sec. Winner trained by I.A. Sultan.
PAK PLATE CLASS VII DIV IV-A 5F
Leopard (Haji Khuda Bux Rajar) 8-12 Latif 1, Jaguar 9-0 Mohammad Ismail 2, Raaz 8-6 Maroof Alam 3, Tag Team 8-10 M. Irfan 4.
Also ran: She Is Magic, Royal Loyality, Sea Biscuit, Lex Luger, Silver Sweet and Cool Water.
Won by 4L, 3L, Neck. Time 1 min 7 1/5 sec. Winner trained by Mushtaq Ali Khan.
PAK PLATE CLASS VII DIV III 5F
Noor-e-Arab (Mr. Imran Ahmed) 9-2 Ali Sher 1, Safeen–e-Arab 8-6 Tariq Baran 2, Desperado 8-2 M. Manzoor 3, Clapping 8-8 Maroof Alam 4.
Also ran: My Yanga, Jet Zone, Lucky Lucky, Snake River, Gold Disc, Street Fighter, Grock, The Ripple, Eye Lady, Ladla and First Shot.
Won by 1/2L, 10L, 1 1/2L. Time 1 min 4 4/5 sec. Winner trained by Amir Ahmed.
PAK PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 5F
Aie Bahar (Shah Mardan Shah II Pir Pagaro VII) 9-0 Sher Mohammad 1, Issey Miyke 8-3 Fahim Karim 2, Charming Girl 8-7 M. Amjad 3, Dunhill Desire 8-5 Tariq Baran 4.
Also ran: Hazoom, Casanova, Dar’s Best, Sher Ghar, Patricia, Crysler, Fascinate, Blind Date, Auzy, Daruwalla and Laughing Queen.
Won by Head, 6L, 3 1/2L. Tim e 1 min 3 3/5 sec.
SINDH BREEDER’S CUP 6F
Handicap Race for three-year-old Pakistani colts and fillies.
Makina (Murtaza R. Hussain) 8-6 1, Super Conqueror 9-0 M. Yousuf 2, Ghan Chaker 9-0 Sher Mohammad 3, Tharkyee 8-9 Raees Ahmed 4.
Also ran: King Of Kings.
PAKISTAN DAY CUP 7F
HANDICAP RACE FOR Pakistani horses four-year-old and upwards.
Leo (Mr. Tauseef Ali Siddiqui) 8-2 M. Nasir 1, Real Gift 7-12 Arif Nazir 2, Al Faris 9-11 Fahim Karim 3, Fantastic Face 9-0 Sher Mhammad 4.
Also ran: Captain Crash, Red Ransom, King Of Sanghar, Donatello, Wonder Thunder, Killer Instincts, Sharp Cat and Silent Witness.
Won by 3/4L, 1 1/2L, 2 1/2L. Time 1 min 31 2/5 sec. Winner trained by M. Yaqoob Butt.
PAK PLATE CLASS VII DIV I 6F
Casual Look (JaHI Khuda Bux Rajar) 8-0 Ghulam Shabbir II 1, Ever So Clever 8-1 Arshad 2, Sarazan 9-0 Mazhar 3, Sonia 8-6 Pervaiz Ali 4.
Also ran: Ceasar’s, Midnight Moonlight, City Honour, Metro, Terrorist, Mera Jugnoo, Bold Doll, Gold Tip, Flying Bird and The Princess.
Won by 3 1/2L, Head, 4L. Time 1 min 18 2/5 sec. Winner trained by S. Ehtisham.
SINDH PLATE CLASS VI 6F
Fantasia (Mr. M.R. Hussain) 8-9 Arshad 1, Ghazan Prince 8-12 Mumtaz Ali 2, Penny 8-8 Fahim Karim 3, Dr. Good Head 8-5 Ghous Bux 4.
Also ran: Sweet Grandy, Goroghantaal, Al Jarrar and Super Salute.
Won by 3 1/2L, 9 1/2L, 8L. Time 1 min 17 1/5 sec. Winner trained by M. Pervaiz.
