KARACHI: Rank outsider chestnut horse Violent Romeo lowered the colours of public fancy another chestnut horse Thunder Star to lift the September Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Having advantage of three stones handicap against Thunder Star, Violent Romeo galloped home by three-and-a-half lengths in the five furlongs contest in a smart time of one minute four seconds.

Violent Romeo made its appearance after three-and-a-half months layoff.

The victorious horse from the stables of Jaffar Abbas and Naveed Shahbaz was piloted home by Zaki Zakir and partnered by trainer Mohyuddin. The rider had won the Monsoon Cup last week.

Bay horse Kuwait Edition fell third six lengths away while filly Spirit completed the frame another half length behind.

Bay horse Geo Jalal was declared winner over gelding Thunder Smile by neck in the sixth and supporting race after stewards upheld the objection taken by rider Asad Aksir (Geo Jalal) for ‘bumping and jumping’ against rider Adnan Khan (Thunder Smile).

Adnan was also fined Rs10,000.

Geo Jalal clocked 0.583/5 seconds for four-and-a-half lengths competition.

Favourite chestnut horse Faris had to be content with third place two-and-a-half lengths away while mare Jugni completed the frame among half-a-dozen horses.

Bay horse Fabulous created quite a stir galloping to four lengths victory over mare Balochistan Queen to clinch the fifth race in 0.582/5 seconds.

The trio of horses — New Market, Marvellous and Cracks Man — whose odds were even when the betting commenced, bit the dust as Fabulous made amends of his earlier defeats.

New Market and Marvellous occupied third and fourth places on board respectively among eight contenders.

At the outset, favourite bay horse Hi Alert made it two in a row registering an exciting six lengths victory over mare Sana Again to justify his billing. He was home in 0.522/5 seconds.

Mare Soldier Girl seized third place and was followed by another mare Meri Chahat among half-a-dozen horses after The Company was scratched in morning declaration.

Long shot chestnut horse Faster Than You who could not make it to the race last week, won the second race imposing to a length-and-a-quarter victory over bay horse Epsom in 0.533/5 seconds.

The race was preceded by re-betting after favourite chestnut horse Galactic Choice was scratched at the starting line following injury.

Geo Channa and Janan followed in the footsteps of top two horses among 10 horses as Club Champion was scratched in morning.

Favourite bay colt Come On Champion made an impressive debut capturing the third race by length-and-a-quarter against mare Take Care. He clocked 0.522/5 seconds for four furlongs.

Mare Zahrish and bay horse Daffodles Wave grabbed third and fourth places respectively. Chestnut horse Justify was scratched in morning leaving 11 horses in fray.

Riders Adnan (Faster Than You and Come On Chmapion) and Kamran II (Hi Alert and Fabulous) shared riding honours by guiding a brace of winners apiece.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2022