KARACHI: Favourite four-year-old bay colt Determination lived up to his reputation by lifting the Independence Day Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.
Running alongside seven opponents, he sped away in home stretch to post an exciting four-length victory over filly Glittering Eyes to make it two victories on the trot.
With rider Sohail Ahmed astride, the Gul Mohammad Rajar-owned horse had won the 2000 Guineas of Pakistan on Dec 30 last year. He had also returned with flying colours in his last run in July. The victorious horse was sent by trainer Nazir who excelled with a brace with his other winner being Mohallaydar.
Colt Victor was placed third, a length and-a-quarter away with Romeo completing the frame further seven lengths behind.
Like Determination, favourite four-year-old bay filly Cigar Girl presented KRC patron Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara with a winner in the next race.
Making her appearance after a layoff, the thoroughbred filly edged past mare Lovely Baby by a length for a repeat performance.
Black Smoke and Pari occupied the next two places on board in the race that witnessed re-betting.
At the outset, two horses — Diamond Doll and Mohallaydar — opened their accounts of the season.
Mare Diamond Doll galloped to a facile three-and-half lengths victory over mare Washmallay to clinch the opening race. Besides Diamond Doll, Washmallay and fourth-placed Mera Dost were co-favourites in the race that featured six runners after Jungle Queen’s withdrawal.
Mohallaydar pulled off an upset by getting the better of bay horse Piyara Faisal by two lengths as Sassy Gold and favourite debutant Maradona settled for the next two places.
Another favourite that obliged all and sundry was four-year-old colt Shining Arrow who coasted to four lengths victory over Pick Power to make it two straight wins.
Cracks Man was withdrawn before the start leaving nine horses in fray.
Meanwhile, the next Gymkhana race meeting will be held on Sunday.
Results:
THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII — 4 F:
Diamond Doll (Abdul Tauheed) 8-0, Mohammad Sajjad 1; Washmallay 9-2, Mohammad Manzoor 2; Champion of Champions 7-11, Asad Aksir 3; Mera Dost 9-0, Wasim 4.
Won by 3½ L, 1¼ L, 2 l. Time: 0.53 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Sher Mohammad.
THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER VI & VII — 4 F:
Mohallaydar (Khadim Hussain) 8-6, Pervez Ali 1; Piyara Faisal 8-4, Mohammad Sajjad 2; Sassy Gold 8-4, Asad Aksir 3; Maradona 9-0, Yousuf Ikram 4.
Won by 2 L, 1 L, ½ L. Time: 0.53 1/5 seconds. Winner trained by Nazir.
THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER IV, V & VI — 4 F:
Shining Arrow (Irfan Mehdi) 8-10, Mohammad Manzoor 1; Pick Power 9-0, Riaz Ahmed 2; Dazzling Diva 9-0, Mohammad Sajjad 3; Royal Fort 8-11, Yousuf Ikram 4.
Won by 4 L, ½ L, 1¼ L. Time: 0.51 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Yousuf S.
THE INDEPENDENCE DAY CUP SCALE ORDER I, II, III & IV — 5 F:
Determination (Gul Mohammad Rajar) 9-4, Sohail Ahmed 1; Glittery Eyes 7-0 (cr7-6), Asad Aksir 2; Victor 7-0, Zaki Zakir 3; Romeo 8-10, Mohammad Manzoor 4.
Won by 4 L, 1¼ L, 7 L. Time: One minute two seconds. Winner trained by Nazir.
THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PLATE SCALE ORDER III & IV — 4 F:
Cigar Girl (Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara) 7-8, Zaki Zakir 1; Lovely Baby 8-0 (cr7-10), Ali Ehsan 2; Black Smoke 8-8, Zohaib Qamar 3; Pari 9-2, Yousuf Ikram 4.
Won by 1 L, 1½ L, 3 L. Time: 0.51 3/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mohyuddin.
Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2019
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