KARACHI, Feb 9: The thoroughbred bay horse Charkah Bareen, sprinted home to another sparkling victory, coming in from behind to collar front runner Dur-e-Yaman at the Winter Gymkhana Meeting held on Sunday afternoon at the Karachi Racecourse.

Owned by Yahya Shahid and splendidly ridden once again by jockey Muzaffar Hussain, the sibling of Tanuf- Willing Shoes, defied all odds and won the six furlong sprint with a crushing weight of 9-7 on his back.

His main rival Lover’s Way also carrying 9-7 on her back found the daunting task not to her liking and let down her large band of supporters by finishing off the board, although she had beaten Charkah Bareen by half a length going over the same distance a few weeks ago.

The game Donatello also owned by Yahya Shahid, finished third with another game mare Guarantee completing the frame.

But the verdict the stewards gave favour of X’tasy in the previous race left much to be desired.

The speedy filly owned by Ali Faisal Farooq and partnered by Mumtaz Ali won the race beating Murtaza Hussain’s chestnut filly Jugni by eight and half lengths, but how X’tasy won the race especially in the Stewards Room left many racing fans in total disbelief.

Jugni with jockey Tariq Mehmood in the saddle, set a scorching pace chased by Sapno Ki Rani. Turning for home, Jugni was still very much in command of the race with X’tasy closing in with giant strides.

Just 150 metres away from the winning post, X’tasy collided with Jugni. So severe was the impact that Jugni fell on her knees nearly toppling her rider to the ground. Although badly shaken up Jugni managed lift lift herself and continue the race, but this feeble attempt was just to late for the brave filly to catch up with X’tasy who was in full flow.

Jugni finished second, edging out Wonder Thunder by a neck.

After the race the rider of Jugni raised an objection with the stewards against the running of X’tasy. Many seasoned racing fans were quite sure that X’tasy would lose the race in the Stewards room for the dangerous approach.

After much deliberation in the stewards room, much to the shock off all and sundry, the stewards thought otherwise and pronounced the verdict in favour of X’tasy. A shocking decision indeed.

In any other racecourse in the world, X’tasy would have lost the race in the Stewards Room, but sadly it was not to be over here. I shudder to think what would have happened if Jugni and Tariq were helplessly sprawled in the centre of the track after the collision, with the rest of the field charging in from behind.

The first race of the afternoon was won by Rich Valiant, after Khalid Nawaz took over the reins from Akbar Shahwani at the starting gate.

The next race meeting is scheduled for Sunday, Feb 16.

# Following are the results:

SAWAT PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-IV 5F