KARACHI: Longshot thoroughbred bay horse Zaheer Choice pulled off a major upset by getting the better of colt Geo Baba by a length-and-a-half to lift the Dignity Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.
Zaheer Choice overcame complacency to notch up first triumph of the year as public fancy mare Chile finished off the frame among five starters.
The winning horse returned home in 0.562/5 seconds in the four-and-a-half furlongs contest with rider Pervaiz Ali in the saddle.
Bay horse Come On Champion fell third by half-a-length while mare Princess Maria completed the frame by another two lengths away. The winning horse which belonged to the stables of Bashir Lango was sent by trainer Haji Abdul Majeed.
Meanwhile, punters also bet their favourites in the Pakistan Derby through turf accountants courtesy KRC, who provided them with online facility.
In yet another upset, rank outsider chestnut horse Geo Channa, stable-mate of Zaheer Choice, defeated bay horse Zayan as he pleased by eight lengths to clinch the opening race that helped owner and trainer to earn a double.
The winning horse was piloted home by ace rider Zaki Zakir in 0.531/5 seconds in the four furlongs competition. Mare Basanti settled third by a distance of three lengths.
Fresh from the triumph, rider Zakir steered co-favourite gelding Supreme Leader to a length victory over mare Stifee in the next race to complete a double.
The horse clocked 0.533/5 seconds for four furlongs to return to winning ways.
Other co-favourite mare Little Darling had to be content with third place by two-and-a-half lengths and was followed by mare Baby Champion by another six lengths. The field was reduced to five horses following scratching of Meri Chahat and Arsalan Choice in the morning declaration.
Fiona was home by two-and-a-half lengths over chestnut horse Victor and was followed by Wapiti and Zahrish.
The victorious horse was partnered by rider Lateef in 0.521/5 seconds in the four furlongs race.
Similarly, Flaming Ember came from behind in home stretch to register six lengths victory over mare Sweet Golden to make it two on trot. She clocked 0.572/5 seconds for four-and-a-half furlongs competition with rider Asad Aksir astride.Golden Step and Mera Naseeb followed the two in same order respectively.
Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2023
