KARACHI: Bay horse Thun­der Strike is on course to complete a hat-trick should he repeat his performance by winning the June Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

With the Labour Day Cup and the May Cup under his belt, he looks favourite to add yet another feather to his cap by getting past half-a-dozen opponents in the fourth race of a five-race card.

Mare Jugni is likely to follow Thunder Strike in the cup race classified under scale order III and IV.

All the races will go over four furlongs.

However, either of the two stable mates — colts Sand Man or Majestic Warrior — can make the difference provided they are backed by connection.

The fifth and concluding race which is also the day’s feature event under top scale order I and II, appears to be a two-horse affair between mare Spirit and chestnut colt King’s Ransom. The race has five acceptors.

Both the horses had returned victorious in their last outing.

At the outset, mare Basanti is likely to atone for successive failures by capturing the opening race under scale order VIII.

She is expected to be challenged by gelding Faisal Choice among five starters. If on job, chestnut horse Arsalan Choice can trigger an upset.

A field of seven horses will face the starter in the next race classified under scale order VII and VIII.

On paper, bay horse Mandi Choice looks a good pick and may be chased by grey horse Chota Jalal. Both the horses have won their respective last races.

Bay horse Pedro may bring an element of surprise.

Having won his last race, chestnut colt Mr. Magic is tipped to go all out to win the third race.

He may be followed by grey horse Flag Of Champion and bay horse Achilles among nine horses.

The first race starts at 3:00pm.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2023