KARACHI: Co-favourite colt Sand Man hit headlines, powering to three lengths victory over other co-favourite bay horse Thunder Strike to clinch the June Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Making his maiden appearance of the year, Sand Man emerged in front soon after start and maintained the lead while crossing the winning post in a smart time of 0.50 seconds with Zaki Zakir in the saddle.

By opening his season’s account, the victorious horse denied Thunder Strike from completing hat-trick.

Bay horse Golden Step occupied the third place two lengths behind while dark bay colt Royal Administrator completed the frame another three-quarters-of-a-length away among five acceptors.

The winning horse belonged to the stables of KRC steward Irfan Mehdi and partnered by trainer Yousuf S.

With a win under her belt, mare Spirit was another co-favourite who stormed to five lengths victory over colt King’s Ransom to win the fifth and last race which was also day’s feature event.

She clocked 0.493/5 seconds with Aashiq Ali astride.

Bay horse Come On Champion occupied third place beaten by two-lengths-and-three-quarters and was followed by bay horse Zaheer Choice edged by short-head verdict in a photo-finish. The race feature five horses.

All-in-all, punters enjoyed as favourites swept the first three races of the day.

Mare Baby Champion obliged all and sundry while getting the better of gelding Faisal Choice by head in a closely fought first race.

Rider Lateef steered the winning horse home in 0.542/5 seconds.

Mare Sana Again and chestnut horse Arsalan Choice settled third and fourth beaten by four-and-a-half lengths and short-head respectively.

Bay horse Pedro made amends imposing to a fluent four lengths victory over bay horse Epsom to claim the second race.

This was Pedro’s maiden victory of the year in two outings.

He was home in 0.522/5 seconds under rider M. Atif.

Mare Little Darling and bay horses Faisal King followed the top two by five and six lengths respectively. Five horses made their presence felt in the race.

Chestnut colt Mr. Magic was on song defeating bay horse Geo Jalal as he pleased by seven lengths to make it two on trot.

The winning horse was piloted home by M. Manzoor in 0.501/5 seconds.

Grey horse Flag Of Champion ended third four lengths away while mare Meri Chahat completed the quartet another eight lengths behind.

The pair of Irfan and Yousuf celebrated the day with a double — Mr. Magic and Sand Man — in the back-to-back races.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2023