KARACHI: Public fancy dark bay filly Queen of Spades lifted the Summer Cup as two favourites and as many longshots evenly shared a four-race card in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

With a win already under her belt, Queen of Spades overtook frontrunner mare Spirit before the winning post to register a length-and-a-quarter victory and stretch her winning run.

Bay horses Choice of the Day and Azeem Choice occupied third and fourth places on board respectively among seven starters. The latter could not make it to the race last week being scratched at starting gate after having bitten left hand of a horse groomer.

Mamraiz Khan, who is also a UAE license-holder, efficiently piloted home thoroughbred Queen of Spades to second victory on trot. The victorious horse belonged to the stables of Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara and sent by veteran trainer Mohyuddin.

Rank outsider Faris stunned favourite chestnut horse Lucky For Me while galloping to a fluent eight-lengths victory to win the fourth and supporting race and stretch his winning streak.

Having completed a hat-trick in his last outing, Lucky For Me made his appearance after a five-month layoff.

Bay horse Desco had to be content with the third place beaten by two lengths and was followed by chestnut horse Burraq another length-and-a-half away.

The races commenced on a pleasant note when favourite mare Janan obliged all and sundry imposing to five-and-a-half lengths victory over bay horse Deewana.

They were followed by Shabnam and Stayin’ Alive among eight starters. The field was reduced to eight after Golden Apple was scratched in the morning declaration.

Mare Princess of Hope got the better of favourite mare Star Queen by a length-and-a-quarter to clinch honours in the second race.

Mare Sheba fell third beaten by four lengths while bay horse Khairpur Star completed the frame edged by distance.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2022