KARACHI: Public fancy filly Cheer Leader opened her new year account by getting the better of another filly Princess Sadia by three-and-a-half lengths to lift the Queen’s Best Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Saturday.

Incumbent champion rider Adnan Khan received serious injuries after falling from his mount Time Game at the bend in the cup race and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

In a late burst, Cheer Leader came from behind to oblige punters and justify her billing on a day when four favourites bit the dust in a seven-race card. She romped home in one minute and ten seconds in the five-and-a-half furlongs race with rider Zaki Zakir astride.

Filly Silent Response had to be content with third place five lengths behind while chestnut filly Hessa completed the frame another six lengths away.

The victorious filly from the stables of Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara was sent by trainer Mohyuddin.

Earlier, another favourite chestnut horse Arsalan Choice galloped to four lengths victory over stable-mate bay horse Deewana in the second race. He clocked 0.524/5 seconds for four furlongs under rider M. Asim.

The two horses were followed by mares Star Queen and Bangash Queen respectively among five acceptors.

Mare Heer prevailed over co-favourite dark bay horse Night Vision by a length to clinch the sixth race which was the day’s supporting event under combined scale order I and II. She posted one minute and one second for five furlongs with rider Sohail Ahmed in the saddle.

Bay horses Zaheer Choice and Robert occupied third and fourth places on board respectively among half-a-dozen competitors.

The triumph of Heer enabled Mohyuddin to end the day with a double.

The first and third race witnessed re-betting after horses were scratched at the starting gate due to injuries.

The day commenced when gelding Supreme Leader created quite a stir by getting the better of mare Soldier Girl by a length to bag honours in the opening race with favourite chestnut horse Rich Striker occupying fourth place behind bay horse Faisal Crown.

He was home in 0.532/5 seconds in four furlongs race.

Filly Croissant stunned another filly Flaming Ember by a length-and-a-quarter to annex the third race clocking 0.582/5 seconds for four-and-a-half furlongs.

Bay horse Faisal King was placed third while chestnut horse Faster Than You completed the quartet as the field was reduced to seven after Fire Work, Raging Comet and Achilles were scratched from the race.

Dark bay horse Wind Talker upset the odds imposing to a length-and-a-quarter victory over favourite mare Angel Love to return victorious in the fourth race.

He was piloted home by Adnan in 0.581/5 seconds denying Angel Love to complete hat-trick.

Mare Sherzadi and bay horse My Boy bagged third and fourth places respectively.

Rank outsider bay horse Cracks Man, who finished nowhere in his last run, coasted to two lengths victory over colt Geo Baba to pick up spoils in the fifth race in one minute and four seconds.

Sweet Golden and English Doll seized third and fourth place, respectively.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2023