KARACHI: In a late burst of speed, rank outsider bay horse Sher Khan defeated four-year-old bay filly WhatsApp by two lengths to land the Pakistan Day Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Saturday.

The public holiday marked the festivities at the KRC as a good number of equine sports lovers and families turned up to watch the races.

Having failed to win a race in last three outings, Sher Khan who ran neck-and-neck with four other horses, kicked up speed in home stretch to post maiden win of the season. The triumph also interrupted WhatsApp winning run.

Sher Khan clocked one minute 11 3/5 seconds for the five-and-a-half furlongs race under rider Sohail Ahmed, who enjoyed a double.

Seven-year-bay horse Toofan was placed third four-and-a-half lengths behind while five-year-old bay mare Sweet Victory completed the frame another two-and-a-half lengths away.

The victorious horse belonged to the stable of Zainab Ali and Aariz Nawaz and sent by trainer Mohammad Sharif.

In an earlier race, Sohail obliged all and sundry by guiding three-year-old chestnut colt Give Away to an exciting two lengths victory over Parachuter. Poetry and Luck Pass claimed third and fourth places respectively on board among half-a-dozen starters.

At the outset favourite mare Princess of Hope edged chestnut horse Sarwan Rose by distance in a close finish to clinch the opening race that saw as many as 11 horses compete for honours.

Red Star fell back to third place a length away while Sassy Gold occupied fourth slot.

Long shot mare Pari created quite a stir by powering to facile five lengths victory over Black Smoke to win the second race.

Public fancy Kahkashan had to be content with third place followed by Paris. Blue Revenue was withdrawn before the race.

Results:

THE PAKISTAN DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII — 4 F:

Princess of Hope (ex-Boolan Queen) (Adam Khan Lango) 8-4 (cr8-5), Nazil Hussain 1; Sarwan Rose 8-4, Sohail Ahmed 2; Red Star 8-6, Wasim 3; Sassy Gold 9-1 (cr8-8), Mohammad Rashid 4.

Won by Dist, 1 L, 3½ L. Time: 0. 51 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mohammad Shahzad.

THE PAKISTAN DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER V, VI & VII — 4½ F:

Pari (Zia-ur-Rehman) 8-4, Wasim 1; Black Smoke 8-11, Aksir A 2; Kahkashan 7-6 (cr7-9), Asad Aksir 3; Paris 8-7, Mohammad Qais 4.

Won by 5 L, 3 L, 3½ L. Time: 0.57 3/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mujahid Ali.

THE PAKISTAN DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER III & IV — 4½ F:

Give Away (Haji Sahib Jan Bareach) 8-1 (cr8-3), Sohail Ahmed 1; Parachuter 8-8, Zaki Zakir 2; Poetry 8-12, Mohammad Manzoor 3; Luck Pass 8-11, Mohammad Sajjad 4.

Won by 2 L, 1½ L, 3 L. Time: 0.57 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Amjad Ali.

THE PAKISTAN DAY CUP SCALE ORDER I, II & III — 5½ F:

Sher Khan (Zainab Ali and Aariz Nawaz) 7-12, Sohail Ahmed 1; WhatsApp 7-9, Zaki Zakir 2; Toofan 10-0, Nazil Hussain 3; Sweet Victory 7-10, Mohammad Manzoor 4.

Won by 2 L, 4½ L, 2½ L. Time: One minute 11 3/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mohammad Sharif.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2019