Stewards guilty of double standards

Published August 25, 2003

KARACHI, Aug 24: Owners Mr Ashraf Kothari and Islamuddin shared the day’s racing honours when their colours passed the post twice at the Karachi Summer Gymkhana races held here on Sunday.

While Mr Islamuddin scored his double through Thousand Up in the second race and followed it up in the third race when Grey Boy brilliantly ridden by Yousuf passed the post first.

Mr Ashraf Kothari had the distinction of leading Power Plus, a popular fancy in the fourth race and Keen Winner in the concluding event of the day.

The day’s racing honours were even shared by fancied and neglected horses. It was after a long time that farm horses were tried by their connections. Trainer Moheyuddin son of former great Faqir Mohammad who has a good string of horses seems to be abiding by the rules of the game as almost all his charges are on job which is a healthy sign.

The only disappointing performance during the day was put up by Your Opinion who looked lazy in the paddock and though the stewards changed his rider the horse ran a very close fifth. The entry of the horse was banned for two months. The stewards, however, showed double standard when Departure on Time who was a certainty on his last run and chicken in the weights ran a poor second behind Satellite Star.

Why The Stewards did not ban the entry of Departure On Time smacks of their nepotism. It was just because Departure on Time is owned by a big owner and Your Opinion’s owner is not a big owner. Atleast the rider of Departure on Time should have been punished but he got scot free as he had the support of a big stable.

The following are the results:

Karachi Plate Div G V - abt 5F

Major Dandy (Mr. M. Rafiq Siddiqi) 8-6 Mumtaz Ali 1, Silver City 9-2 Inayat Ali 2, Richy Rich M. Barani 3, Noor-un-Nisa 8-6 M. Yousuf 4.

Also ran L Silent Fire, Dil Farraib, Genuine Risk, Ustaad, Darbari Malang, Sunday Silence, shining Rock, Powerful Tarzan, Century and Shahroz-e-Sehar.

Won by: Sh-hd, 3/4 L, 5 L. Time 1 min 11-2/5 secs. Winner trained by Anwar Ali.

Karachi Plate Div G III - abt 5F

Thousand Up (Mr. Islamuddin) 9-0 M. Barani 1, Trust You 8-5 Tariq Baran 2, Rehmat Hi Rehmat 8-12 M. Rehman 3 Pehalwan Choice 8-0 Dilshad 4.

Also ran: The Prince Zeeshan, Little Sunny, Sajan Black, Trust Me, Lex Luger, Black Magic, Tipu Fight, Your Opinion, clever Cat, Royal Beauty, and Even Top.

Won By: 4-1/2 L, 2-1/2 L, Nk. Time 1 Min 6-2/5 secs.

Winner trained by Moheyuddin.

Karachi Plate Div G II - abt 5F

Grey Boy (Mr. Islamuddin) 8-3 M. Yousuf 1, Yaqoob Choice 8-13 cd 8-8 Najeeb 2, Reliable 7-12 Aamir Ali 3, Sonia 8-1 M. Barani 4.

Also ran: Knight Gambler, Metro, Melody II, Chrismatic Eyes, High Star, Queen of Pakistan, Ustandon Ka Ustad, Maha Sagar, Ghori, Just in Fun, Son Of None, Evershine, and Dushtiyani.

Won By: 3 L, 2 L, Hd. Time 1 Min 6-2/5 secs.

Winner trained by Shahid Ahmad.

Karachi Plate Div G I - abt 5F

Power Plus (Mr. M. Ashraf Kothari) 9-0 Shahzad 1, Your Pleasure 9-0 Kashif Ali 2, Bull Dancer 7-12 Shakeel Ahmad 3, Black Doorman 8-9 Dilshad 4.

Also ran: Auzy, Knight Fighter, Snake River, Nawab, Sher Zai, Hamza Saheb, Mera Jugnoo, Sea Biscuit, Love Land, One touch, Only For You, The Clifton King, Smokey Prince, Follow the Leader.

Won By: 3-1/2 L, 4 L, 2-3/4 L. Time 1 Min 5-1/5 Secs.

Winner trained by Kansoor Alam.

Karachi Plate Div VII A - abt 5F

Declared null and void.

Karachi Plate Div VI - abt 5F

Satellite Star (Mr. Humayoun Mirza) 8-2 M. Nasir 1, Departure On Time 7-12 M. Atif 2, Miss Oozi 8-5 M. Yousuf 3, Ranjha 8-10 M. Barani 4.

Also ran: Rajkumar, Fasla, Raaz, Wonderful Peace, Spano Ki Rani, Gold Tip, Ladla, Ultimate Victory, Ring Master, Flying Prince, Falcon, and Sona.

Won By: 4 L, 3-1/2 L, 3/4 L. Time 1 Min 5-2/5 secs.

Winner trained by Taj Mohammad.

Karachi Plate Div V & VI - abt 6F

Keen Winner (Mr. M. Ashraf Kothari) 8-4 Shahzad 1, Dont Panic 8-12 Sher Mohammad 2, Visitor 7-12 M. Barani 3, Roberto Carlos Fan: 8-5 M. Yousuf 4.

Also ran: High Standard, Lover’s Lady, Guarantee, Khasul Khas, Dur-e-Yemen, Wing Commander, Shab-e-Noor, Al Zarrar, Laurel, Ray of Light, Lucky Three, Mega Hit, and Defence Academy.

Won By: 2-1/2 L, 2 L, NK. Time 1 Min 18-2/5 secs.

Winner trained by Ameer Ahmad.

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