KARACHI, Aug 5: A pair of outsiders shocked favourites to avert a clean sweep in a six-race card of the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

First three-year-old bay colt Babu came from behind to beat public fancy colt Medal Of Honour by a length-and-a-half to land the fifth race and make amends for the previous loss and then fast chasing bay horse Black Berry overcame Over Flow by a length to claim the sixth and concluding race. Favourite Guru Manter had to be content with fourth spot among eight starters.

Earlier, filly Poonam stretched her winning run imposing to a fluent five-and-a-half lengths victory over Star King in the opener.

The victorious horse was ridden home by M. Sajjad who later partnered Lucky Gem to an impressive seven lengths victory in the third race for a double.

Seasoned rider Mohammad Essa guided colt Racing Fire to three-and-a-half lengths victory over Famous while Tauheed Ali piloted home Daniyal Prince to four lengths victory over Golden Touch.

Rider A. Ahmed was suspended for two months and fined Rs5,000 for ‘unsatisfactory’ riding his mount Star Watch in the third race.

Meanwhile, the next Gymkhana race meeting has been rescheduled for Sunday (Aug 12) instead of Wednesday (Aug 8).