KARACHI: Favourite bay mare New Market entertained racegoers while galloping to a fluent six lengths victory over bay horse Geo Jalal to lift the Monsoon Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Monday.

New Market, who had become favourite after scratching of four horses in the morning declaration, led the short field of five competitors right from the word go to make amends of her last defeat in which she was placed third.

The quartet who could not make it to the races were Geo Baba, Sweet Golden, Robert and Cracks Man.

New Market clocked 0.512/5 seconds for four furlongs with seasoned rider Zaki Zakir astride. The winning horse belonged to the stables of S.M.Razi and Nadeem Ahmed and partnered by trainer Usman Sadiq.

Mare Balochistan Queen fell third by two lengths while bay horse Waris completed the frame another six lengths behind.

Another favourite mare Stella who finished off the frame in her last outing, obliged all and sundry when she came from behind to whip bay horse Daffodles Wave by four lengths in the fourth and concluding race which was also the supporting event.

Running on the heels of Daffodles Wave, Stella kicked up speed in the home stretch and finally overcame the frontrunner before the winning post.

She was ably ridden home by Farjad Habib in 0.531/5 seconds.

Mare Princess of Hope and chestnut horse Justify occupied third and fourth places on board respectively as the field was reduced to seven contestants after Galileo Lady could not make it to the competition.

The day commenced on a happy note for punters after favourite mare Janan notched up a length-and-a-half victory over mare Sana Again after successive losses.

She was piloted home by rider M. Manzoor in 0.532/5 seconds.

The top two horses were followed by bay horse Money Shower and mare Soldier Girl respectively.

Bay horse Remarkable was scratched in the morning leaving eight horses in fray.

Co-favourite bay horse Deewana made it two on trot imposing to a length-and-a-half victory over mare Stifee to clinch the second race in 0.54 seconds.

Gelding Smart Boy and chestnut horse Geo Channa had to be content with third and fourth places respectively on board.

A trio of horses — Faster Than You, Little Darling and Galactic Choice — were scratched in the morning.

Meanwhile, the next meeting will be held on Sunday (Sept 4).

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2022