KARACHI: Rank outsider bay horse Kuwait Edition galloped to a stunning half-a-length victory over bay horse Zaheer Choice to lift the Sanghar Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Having already won the Defence Day Cup, fast chasing Kuwait Edition came from behind to overcome the frontrunner in a photo-finish to make it two on trot. It completed the five furlongs race in one minute 24/5 seconds under poor visibility.

Favourite chestnut horse Violent Romeo had to be content with third place by three-quarters-of-a-length while dark bay horse Robert completed the frame being edged by short-head among half-a-dozen horses.

Kuwait Edition, which belongs to the stables of Ehtisham and Waiz Malik, was ably ridden home by rider M. Sajjad and was sent by trainer Naseem.

Four favourites obliged race-goers in a six-race card on a day when ace rider Adnan Khan escaped severe injuries after falling from his mount Thunder Love near the outer railing soon after start of the third race.

At the outset, long shot dark bay horse The Company lowered the colours of public fancy mare Soldier Girl with a three-lengths victory to clinch its maiden race of the year, clocking 0.532/5 seconds for four furlongs.

Basanti and Ayyan Prince occupied third and fourth places on board respectively as the field was reduced to eight following scratching of Remarkable in the morning.

Mare Heer gave some respite to race-goers while getting the better of chestnut horse Galactic Choice by six lengths in 0.511/5 seconds to clinch the second race with rider Sohail Ahmed astride. It was its first win in five months. Mare Sana Again seized third place six-and-a-half lengths away while another form horse Money Shower completed the board further two lengths behind among six starters after Janan and Stifee were scratched in morning declaration.

Mare Zahrish obliged all and sundry registering three-lengths victory over another mare Galileo Lady to return to winning ways after three months with a time of 0.521/5 seconds in four furlongs contest. Hi Alert and Trouble Princess grabbed third and fourth places on board respectively in a field of six horses.

Running like a champion, public fancy bay colt Come On Champion came from behind to edge mare Take Care by short-head to clinch honours in the fourth race. The victorious horse clocked 0.583/5 seconds for four-and-a-half furlongs contest. Daffodles Wave and Deewana claimed last two places on board respectively. Come On Champion was smartly ridden home by Adnan who got a new lease of life in an earlier race.

Another favourite chestnut horse Faris defeated dark bay horse Young Gun by six lengths in 0.572/5 seconds. Thunder Smile was off colour and occupied third place, six-and-a-half lengths behind, ahead of Sweet Golden among seven contestants.

Trainers Mohyuddin and Qamaruddin excelled in their cadre by partnering two winners apiece.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2022