KARACHI: Fancied filly Queen of Spades appears to be the best bet for the Shah Mardan Shah Pir Pagara Memorial Cup when it takes place in the Gymkhana race meeting here at Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

With a win already under her belt, she is expected to overcome the challenge from nine aspirants particularly bay horse Churchill and stable mate colt Fantastico to stretch her run. However, debutant Raksh and Royal Ransom, if tried, can pull off an upset.

The race, which will go over a mile, is the last of a healthy seven-race card drawn for the day and includes two cups.

Debutant colts from the same connection — Magistic Warrior and Sand Man – are on chance to dominate the Kingree Lodge Performance Cup for two-year old thoroughbred and half breds Pakistani colts and fillies. It is the sixth race and will be contested over five furlongs.

Mare Sherzadi looks poised to repeat her winning sequence by pocketing the opening race under scale order VIII to be run over four furlongs.

She is expected to be followed by Arsalan Choice and Faisal Choice respectively among 13 contenders.

Chestnut horse Geo Channa is expected to rule the roost in the second race under scale order VII to be run over four furlongs.

Bay horse Deewana and chestnut horse Faster Than You are likely to follow the footsteps of Geo Channa in a field of 10 horses. If backed by connections, War Drums or Croissant can create quite a stir.

Filly Trouble Princess looks fancied to pick up spoils in the third race under scale order V and VI should she maintain her form and make it two on trot. The race has a field of eight horses and will go over four-and-a-half furlongs.

She is expected to be chased by Stella and Club Champion, respectively.

With a win under their belts, mare Heer and colt Night Vision are likely to return with flying colours in the fourth and fifth races, respectively.

The first race starts at 1:00pm.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2022