KARACHI: Favourite dark bay colt Royal Administrator galloped to three lengths victory over stable mate bay horse Royal Command to clinch the Jellybean Cup as rider Asad Aksir escaped injuries in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

The 70-to-100 public fancy horse led the small field of three horses from the word go to open his season’s account. He was piloted home by rider Fahim K. in 0.514/5 seconds in the four furlongs contest.

The victorious horse from the stables of Syed Wajihuddin was sent by trainer M. Irfan.

Displaying in-and-out running, bay horse Geo Jalal finished third further seven lengths behind.

A pair of horses – grey horse Flag Of Champion and bay horse Hi Alert — could not make it to the competition as they were scratched in the morning declaration for being unfit.

Two long shot horses sprang surprise while lowering the colours of favourites.

Gelding Faisal Choice atoned for last week’s loss while imposing to two-lengths-and-a-quarter victory over mare Basanti to win the opening race.

Rider Wasim steered the horse to victory in 0.541/5 seconds among seven starters.

Favourite chestnut horse Arsalan Choice had to be content with third place three lengths away while bay horse Faisal King completed the quartet being edged by half-a-length.

The third race ended in a blaze of glory for bay horse Wild Fire who got the better of another bay horse Epsom as he pleased by nine lengths.

Making his maiden appearance of the year, Wild Fire was home in 0.503/5 seconds under rider M. Manzoor among half-a-dozen acceptors.

Mares Baby Champion and Newmarket grabbed the next two places on board, being edged by distance and half-a-length respectively.

Earlier, favourite bay horse Mandi Choice who was in front after negotiating the bend, went wild and became lame after hitting the railing. He was shot dead and buried after the race. Fortunately, the rider remained unhurt.

“Persistent heat wave and ongoing vaccination of horses has compelled the KRC to reduce the number of races and field small number of horses”, a spokesman for the KRC told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2023