KARACHI: Fancied filly Glittery Eyes powered to a fluent one length-and-a-quarter victory over fast-chasing Azeem Choice to win the Prime Cup during the winter Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

The even money favourite Glittery Eyes emerged in front soon after the word go and maintained his lead until crossing the winning post ahead of four other contestants.

The race was also the day’s feature event — combined top scale order I and II — and gone over five furlongs.

Big Faith, half-brother of famous Big Bravo and G. Sarkar occupied the next two places on board respectively.

Ace rider Zaki Zakir rode home the victorious horse to present owner Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara and trainer Mohyuddin with second winner of the day.

Earlier in the supporting race, Zakir had steered three-year-old filly Queen of Spades to a smart four-and-a-half lengths victory over favourite Albania.

Rank outsiders Who Is Next and New Class lowered the colours of favourites to claim the second and third races respectively.

Favourite Chase Me Not was not on job and even failed to finish on board in the second race.

Similarly, mare New Class was on song in the third race as she got the better of favourite Thomas by half-a-length.

Re-betting was held in the third race following withd­rawals of Balam Bhai and Meri Chahat at the gate.

At the outset, champion rider Safdar Hussain obliged all and sundry as bay horse Golra Pride won as he pleased by seven lengths.

Results:

THE PRIME PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII — 4 F:

Take Over (Rana Jawad Hussain) 9-0, Safdar Hussain 1; Usman Chamdiwala 8-6, Riaz Ahmed 2; Beneficial 7-1, Zaki Zakir 3; Gypsy Queen 7-12, Waheed Baran 4.

Won by 7 L, 5 L, Neck. Time: 0.52 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mohammad Irfan.

THE PRIME PLATE SCALE ORDER VII & VIII — 4 F:

Who is Next (Ali Raza Zia) 8-12, Mohammad Ramzan 1; Well Wisher 8-5, Ali Raza II 2,Hawwaam 8-2, Mohammad Manzoor 3; Golra Pride 9-4, Zohaib Qamar 4.

Won by ½ L, 1½ L, Neck. Time: 0. 52 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Zia-ur-Rehman.

THE PRIME PLATE SCALE ORDER V & VI — 4½ F:

New Class (Naseem Ahmed Channa) 9-0, Ali Raza II 1; Thomas 8-12, Mohammad Manzoor 2; Recovery 9-0, Adnan Khan 3, Haseena-e-Arab 8-1 Nazil Hussain 4.

Won by 1½ L, 2 L, 3½ L. Time: 0. 57 4.5 seconds. Winner trained by Naseem Ahmed Channa.

THE PRIME PLATE SCALE ORDER IV — 4½ F:

Queen of Spades (Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara) 7-0, Zaki Zakir 1; Albania 8-0, Nazil Hussain 2; Risky 9-2, Zohaib Qamar 3; Smasher 7-11, Adnan Khan 4.

Won by 4½ L, 2½ L, 3½ L. Time: 0.57 1/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mohyuddin,

THE PRIME CUP SCALE ORDER I &II — 5 F:

Glittery Eyes (Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara) 8-2, Zaki Zakir 1; Azeem Choice 8-5, Mohammad Manzoor 2; Big Faith 8-11, Yousuf Ikram 3; G Sarkar 9-0, Waheed Baran 4.

Won by 11/4 L, Neck, ½ L. Time: One minute 2 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mohyuddin.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2021