KARACHI: Filly Sincere Approach clinched the Shah Mardan Shah II Pir Pagara VII Memorial Cup defeating co-favourite stable mate filly Punch Line by distance in the Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Sincere Approach led the pack of seven horses right from the word go and maintained it till the end. She was successfully guided to victory by rider Mumraiz Khan in one minute and 42 3/5 seconds.

Chestnut horse Thunder Star was placed third, further beaten by five lengths while colt Sand Man completed the frame another ten lengths behind in the race run over a mile.

Fancied bay horse Pakistani Star who has arrived in town from Lahore to defend the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup, could not make it to the race and was withdrawn by its owner on the pretext of being unwell after morning declaration.

The victorious horse which belongs to the stables of Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara VIII was partnered by trainer Mohyuddin. The owner celebrated the day with a treble while the trainer sent four winners.

Riders Sohail Ahmed and Bilal Ahmed excelled in the cadre with a brace of winners apiece.

In an earlier race, longshot colt Trevor edged bay horse Thunder Breeze by short-head as public fancy chestnut horse Mr Magic had to be content by third place while gelding Thunder Man completed the quartet. The field was reduced to four following the withdrawal of bay horse Pedro.

The winning horse, who completed his hat-trick, clocked 0.502/5 seconds for four furlongs competition.

At the outset, favourite mare Kuwait Lady justified her billing galloping to a facile three lengths victory over another mare Hussun-e-Pari to stretch her winning run. She romped home in 0.522/5 seconds in the four furlongs race. Faisal Star and Young Hero followed the two in same order.

In yet another upset, bay horse Do It made amends lowering the colours of favourite colt King’s Crown by imposing to a length-and-a-quarter victory in the second race. He returned home in 0.521/5 seconds.

Bay horse Mandi Boy grabbed third position and was followed by another bay horse Quetta Star.

Favourite fillies Dangerous Intention and Cheer Leader obliged all and sundry by capturing honours in the third and fourth races respectively.

The former edged past Rock N Wild by two-and-a-half lengths while latter coasted to five lengths victory over debutant colt Prince William.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2024