December 17, 2007	Monday	Zilhaj 6, 1428

KARACHI, Dec 16: Favourite four-year-old dark bay filly Stormy Kiss justified the confidence reposed in her when she galloped to a facile six-and-a-half length’s victory over mare Voo Doo Doll to land the feature event in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Despite her four dismal runs on trot, the connection preferred to back the filly over stable-mate bay Vice Admiral as she made a return to form leading the pack of nine runners in a start-to-finish bid.

The filly from the stables of Rajar’s was trained by Mushtaq Ali Khan and piloted home by Nasir in a smart time of one min 3 3/5 seconds.

Filly The Princess Arab secured third place, finishing further four-and-a-half lengths behind while bay Arab Hi Arab completed the frame.

The day revolved around prominent horse owner Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara and jockey Ghulam Shabbir as the two ended with four wins apiece. With an exception, six favourites obliged the punters in a card of seven.

The horses belonging to Pir Pagara which returned with flying colours include Al Zarrar, Kitli Wala, Laat Sahib and Taiz Per.

Although already at nine, Al Zarrar is still a force to be reckoned with. He made two-in-a-row with a stunning 11 length’s victory over Fancy II to claim the opener under rider Essa.

Two-year-old bay colt Kitli Wala chalked up his maiden win beating colt John Player by a length and a quarter in the third.

Four-year-old bay colt Laat Sahib picked up the spoils in the next race with a long overdue victory over Sher-e-Awan while filly Taiz Per surged five-and-a-half lengths over Sonu Love Mani to clinch the supporting event in the sixth.

Chestnut colt Count The Money was another favourite to register a win edging NYX by half a length in the fifth race.

In a late burst, seven-year-old bay Native King, formerly Donatello, pulled off the only upset in the second race when he edged past Queen Of Awan by a length and a quarter.

It was an amazing performance from Shabbir who romped home four winners in-a-row in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth races. Three of the four horses belonged to Pir Pagara.

With four wins, Shabbir took his winning tally to 78 and is way ahead of challenger Nasir (61) for crowning ‘Jockey of the Year’ award at the end of year’s last meeting.

Meanwhile, the next Gymkhana race meeting will be held on Dec 25.

Results:

THE SHANGHAI PLATE DIV V

CLASS VII 5F:

Al Zarrar (Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara)8-10 Mohammad Essa 1, Fancy II 8-6 Fahim K, 2, Shah Sawar 8-4 Abdul Rahim 3, Ghabra 7-10 Lateef 4. Won by 11L, 5 1/2L, 5 1/4L. Time: One min 6 2/5 sec.

Winner trained by Sher Mohammad.

THE SHANGHAI PLATE DIV IV

CLASS VII 5F:

Native King (Mr. Mohammad Zahid Malik) 8-0(cr8-4) M. Umer 1, Queen Of Awan 8-4 M. Nasir 2, Full ‘N’ Final 8-12 Arshad 3, Arabian Butter Fly 8-12 Nisar Ahmed 4. Won by 1 1/4L, 3L, 4L. Time: One min 7 3/5 sec.

Winner trained by Naseem.

THE MADHURI PLATE 5F:

Kitli Wala (Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara) 8-7 Ghulam Shabbir II, 1, John Player 8-7 Mohammad Essa 2, Star Of Angels 8-4(cr8-6) Waheed 3, Sweet Girl 8-4 Fahim K 4. Won by 1 1/4L, 5L, Neck. Time: One min 5 1/5 sec.

Winner trained by Allah Judrio.

THE SHANGHAI PLATE DIV III

CLASS VII 5F:

Laat Sahib (Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara) 9-0 Ghulam Shabbir II, 1, Sher-e-Awan 8-9 Mohammad Essa 2, Mixed Blessing 8-0(cr8-2) M. Yousuf 3, The Choice Of The Day 8-3 Naseem Ahmed 4. Won by 3L, Neck, 1 3/4L. Time: One min 7 2/5 sec.

Winner trained by Allah Judrio.

THE SHANGHAI PLATE DIV II

CLASS VII 5F:

Count The Money (Syed Ismail Shah) 8-6 Ghulam Shabbir II, 1, NYX 8-3 Mohammad Essa 2, Hi Darling 8-4 Mumtaz Ali 3, Sonia 8-6 Ashiq Ali 4. Won by 1/2L, 5L, 3L. Time: One min 5 3/5 sec.

Winner trained by S. Ehtisham.

THE SHANGHAI PLATE CLASS VI

AND VII DIV I 5F:

Taiz Per (Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara) 9-1 Ghulam Shabbir II, 1, Sonu Love Mani 8-1 Fahim K 2, Thanks Naeem 8-11 Pervaiz Ali 3, Leopard Of Arab 8-5 A. Ahmed 4. Won by 5 1/2L, 6 1/2L, 5 1/2L. Time: One min 5 1/5 sec.

Winner trained by Allah Judrio.

THE ESWARAH PLATE CLASS IV

AND V DIV I AND II 5F:

Stormy Kiss (Haji Khuda Bux Rajar) 8-11 M. Nasir 1, Voo Doo Doll 8-12 Arshad 2, The Princess Arab 7-7 Zaki Zakir 3, Arab Hi Arab 8-1 Fahim K 4. Won by 6 1/2L, 4 1/2L, 1/2L. Time: One min 3 3/5 sec.

Winner trained by Mushtaq Ali Khan.