March 27, 2006	Monday	Safar 26, 1427

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KARACHI, March 26: Mare Bang On Target who was installed favourite at the last moment returned with flying colours to capture the prized Pakistan Day Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

With jockey Mohammad Essa astride she edged out five-year-old bay horse King Of Sanghar by three quarter of a length in the six furlongs race to make it two in a row.

Bang On Target belongs to the stables of Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara and trained by Sher Mohammad.

Three-year-old chestnut colt, Moon Raker, settled for the third place while King Of Kings completed the frame.

It was a day of upsets as at least four of the scheduled eight races upset the applecart and surprised all and sundry.

In a mild upset, eight-year-old dark horse, Ladla, made amends of his last week poor run by picking up the opener. In a closely fought battle, he beat mare First Shot by neck. Mare, Royal Beauty, had to be content with third place. The latter two were joint favourites.

Nine-year-old bay horse, Laurel, sprinted to victory in the second race beating Nawab-e-Arab by nine lengths with ease. Fancied Jaguar who was aspiring for a hat trick, secured third place.

Jaguar had to pay the price as he fell back at the starting line before coming back.

As predicted in these columns, six-year-old mare Phool Choice backed by the connections, was piloted home by jockey M. Nasir in the next race. She was chased by Raat Ki Rani and Tag Team.

The fourth race also saw three-year-old filly Black Girl creating a stir by picking up the spoils. The field was reduced to 16 following withdrawl of Princess Ridda and Make Millions.

Abdul Rahim galloped 11-year-old mare Sonia to victory toppling mare Countess Mah Again. Sweet Grandy occupied third while Bright And Early was fourth.

Rahim ended the day on an impressive note with a double after he rode Silent Witness home in the seventh beating favourite bay horse Jadugar by three lengths. This was latter’s second run after he arrived from Lahore.

Seven-year-old bay mare Fly To The Sky justified backers when she crossed the finishing post three and a half lengths ahead of Scarface to clinch the concluding event.

Ramzan A excelled among the trainers by sending a brace of winners — Sonia and Silent Witness.

Results:

SINDH PLATE DIV V 5F

Ladla (Mr. Sajawal Khan) 7-11 Amir Ali 1, First Shot 8-12 Nadir Abdullah 2, Royal Beauty 9-1 S. Khan 3, Street Fighter 7-13 M. Youusuf 4. Won by Neck, 1/2L, 2L. Time: 1 min 9 4/5 sec.

Winner trained by M. Aslam Khan

SINDH PLATE DIV 1V 5F

Laurel (Mr. Adnan Azam Khan) 9-1(cr8-12) Mumtaz Ali 1, Nawab-e-Arab 7-10(cr7-11) Ghulam Shabbir 11 2, Jaguar 8-12 Mohammad Essa 3, Raka Poshi 9-4(cr8-13) Ghous Bux 4.Won by 9L, S. head, 3/4L. Time: 1 min 7 2/5 sec.

Winner trained by Zia-ur-Rehman

SINDH PLATE DIV 111 5F

Phool Choice (Mr. Amir Ahmed) 8-4 M. Nasir 1, Raat Ki Rani 8-12 Nadir Abdullah 2, Tag Team 8-7 Asghar Ali 3, Piyari Mehbooba 8-12(cr8-5) Zaki Zakir 4. Won by 2L, 3L, 4 1/4L. Time: 1 min 7 sec.

Winner trained by the owner

SINDH PLATE DIV 11 5F

Black Girl (Mr. M. R. Hussain) 8-0 M. Amjad 1, Super Salute 8-8 Abdul Rahim 2, Sparkling Lady 9-0(cr8-7) Zaki Zakir 3, New Ferrari 8-0 M. Manzoor 4. Won by 2L, 2 1/2L, Head. Time: 1 min 5 2/5 sec.

Winner trained by M. Pervaiz

SINDH PLATE DIV 1 5F

Sonia (Mr. Rafiullah) 8-6 Abdul Rahim 1, Countess Mah Again 8-3 Mumtaz Ali 2, Sweet Grandy 7-11 Asghar Ali 3, Bright And Early 8-11(cr8-4) Zaki Zakir 4. Won by 3/4L, 2L, Neck. Time: 1 min 5 3/5 sec.

Winner trained by Ramzan A

PAKISTAN DAY CUP 6F

Bang On Target (Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara) 9-4 Mohammad Essa 1, King Of Sanghar 8-12 Shahid Manan 2, Moon Raker 8-3 M. Manzoor 3, King Of Kings 7-11 Ghulam Shabbir 11 4. Won by 3/4L, S. Head, 3/4L. Time: 1 min 16 3/5 sec.

Winner trained by Sher Mohammad

VARIETY PLATE 6F

Silent Witness (Syed Ali Javed) 8-4 Abdul Rahim 1, Jadugar 8-0 Mohammad Essa 2, Lucky Friend 8-6 Mumtaz Ali 3, Gwenivare 8-2 Sohail Ahmed 4. Won by 3L, 1/2L, 2 1/2L. Time: 1 min 18 4/5 sec.

Winner trained by Ramzan A

KARACHI PLATE 6F

Fly To The Sky (Mr. Rehaab Ateeq) 9-2 Ashiq Ali 1, Scarface 8-3 Asghar Ali 2, Arab Hi Arab 8-12 Ghulam Shabbir 11 3, Fakhr-e-Sanghar 7-(cr7-10) Riaz Mohammad 4. Won by 3 1/2L, 2L, 1/2L. Time: 1 min 17 sec.

Winner trained by Mohammad Rasheed.