KARACHI: Favourite four-year-old bay colt Moscow Gold lived up to his billing by galloping to a fluent four-length victory over challenger Pari to clinch the feature event in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Saturday.

With two wins already under his belt, the triumph helped Moscow Gold to complete a hat-trick. The win also helped its regular rider Mohammad Manzoor and trainer Mujahid Ali to celebrate the treble.

Moscow Gold shot into prominence while heading for home in straight overtaking front-runner mare Pari to complete the feat clocking 0.50 3/5 seconds for four furlongs.

WhatsApp had to be content with third place falling three lengths behind while Salam-e-Kaif completed the frame among quartet after Determination was withdrawn.

A race earlier Lahore’s four-year-old colt Big Foot broke the winless jinx while lowering the colours of favourite Sohrab-e-Bhakkar by two-and-a-half lengths to open his account.

It may be mentioned that Big Foot occupied third place twice before finishing second last weekend.

Owned by Lahore owner Yaqoob Ali, Big Foot was piloted home by Lahore’s rider Qadeer Ahmed.

Native Prince and Shining Arrow claimed third and fourth places on board respectively.

At the outset, public fancy mare Pick Power made it two wins on the trot by sprinting to a smart eight-length success over bay horse Big Star.

Killing Eyes settled third three lengths away while Flada completed the frame beaten by short head verdict.

Results:

THE MAY PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII — 4 F:

Pick Power (Gul Mohammad Rajar) 9-2, Sohail Ahmed 1; Big Star 8-10, Aksir A 2; Killing Eyes 7-10, Mohammad Qais 3; Rada (ex-Red Star) 8-3, Mohammad Manzoor 4.

Won by 8 L, 3 L, S. Head. Time: 0.52 3/5 seconds. Winner trained by Nazir.

THE MAY PLATE SCALE ORDER IV, V & VI — 4 F:

Big Foot (Yaqoob Ali) 9-4, Qadeer Ahmed 1; Sohrab-e-Bhakkar 7-0, Zaki Zakir 2; Native Prince 8-13, Ali Raza II 3; Shining Arrow 7-6, Mohammad Sajjad 4.

Won by 2½ L, 5 L, 2 L. Time: 0.51 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mohammad Mazhar.

THE MAY PLATE SCALE ORDER I, II & III — 4 F:

Moscow Gold (Rehan Babar and Asif Shahani) 9-6, Mohammad Manzoor 1; Pari 8-10, Wasim 2; WhatsApp 9-6, Mohammad Sajjad 3; Salam-e-Kaif 7-4, Pervez Ali 4.

Won by 4 L, 3 L, 3 L. Time: 0.50 3/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mujahid Ali.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2019