KARACHI, July 14: A lucrative double by trainer Taj Mohammad and rider M. Faiz highlighted the Karachi Gymkhana races held Sunday at the Karachi Race Club.

The combination worked out the double through Winning Streak in the second race and Sajan Black in the fifth race. It helped trainer Taj Mohammad to head the champion trainers list with 15 winner followed by Mansoor Alam who has so far saddled 13 winners. He is closely followed by Iftikhar Ali who has 12 winners to his credit this season.

Young Faiz showed good horsemanship when he kept his cool on both the mounts and never gave any anxious moment to his supporters.

The most impressive winner of the day was, however, M. Ateeq’s the Speed Star who showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals.

Shah Mardan Shah II Pir Pagaro’s My Darling, who was not allowed to run on merit last time out by the stable jockey Ghulam Shabbir, won the sixth race by showing brilliant burst in the home stretch. In her last run My Darling was not allowed to run on merit by Ghulam shabbir who had practically strangulated her and it was nothing short of broad day robbery.

Because of his connections Ghulam Shabbir was left scot-free.

This is certainly not the way to promote the sport. The managing committee will have to show it’s teeth as they cannot have double standards. Unless everyone is dealt evenly, one cannot see any ray of hope in improving the standard.

In the opener, Maina Again stumbled in the straight, broke her fetlock and had to be destroyed by the veterinary doctor.

The next Gymkhana races will be held on Sunday, July 21.

The following are the results: