KARACHI: Favourite half-bred filly Queens Pride, as expected, lived up to her top billing while capturing the November Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

With a win already under its belt, it galloped home by two lengths over challenger colt American Gangster to stretch her winning run.

Owned by Syed Ismail Shah and Hammad Farooq Fikree and sent by trainer Ghulam Shabbir II, it was piloted home by rider M. Sajjad in one minute one second in the five furlongs race that featured 13 horses as Hi Alert was scratched in morning declaration.

Mare Heer grabbed third place beaten by two-and-a-half lengths while colt Fantastico completed the frame another eight lengths away.

Favourites, meanwhile, obliged the punters in four races of a five-race card.

Dark bay horse Robert came from behind to pull off the only upset as co-favourites — mare Princess Maria and colt King’s Ransom — bit the dust in the day’s feature event that featured six horses.

Robert coasted to three lengths victory over Princess Maria as Gold Company and King’s Ransom occupied the next two places on board, respectively.

The victorious horse clocked one minute three seconds for five furlongs with rider Adnan Khan astride.

Bay horse Faisal King obliged all and sundry imposing to fluent five lengths victory over mare Star Queen to clinch the opening race.

It was home in 0.531/5 seconds in the four furlongs contest with a field of dozen contenders.

Mare Sherzadi completed its hat-trick while getting the better of filly Fiona by four lengths to win the second race. It clocked 0.51 seconds for four furlongs.

Another public fancy filly English Doll kept its winning run intact registering a length-and-a-quarter victory over bay horse Cracks Man to land the third race in 0.581/5 seconds.

Meanwhile, owner Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara ended the day with a double while trainer Mohyuddin partnered three winners.Pair of riders — M. Sajjad and Sohail Ahmed — excelled in their cadres while guiding a brace of winners apiece.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2022