KARACHI: In a major surprise mare Soldier Girl upset the odds while galloping to a half-length victory over mare Haseena-e-Arab in the November Cup event during the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Bay horse Hawwaam grabbed third place beaten by eight lengths as favourite Meri Chahat completed the frame another half length after the field was reduced to five following withdrawal of Mera Sayeen, Secret Of Life and Soldier Star.

The victory earned Soldier Girl second straight win for owner Shakeel and trainer Mujahid Ali with rider Waheed Baran astride.

Favourite Gladiator obliged all and sundry returning home by four-and-a-half lengths over Soldier Queen to land the last race which was also feature event.

Piyara Faisal Torrent followed the two in order on board.

Favourite Public Fancy gave the race-goers a befitting start by getting better of Sassy Gold by two lengths to open his account.

Jungle Queen seized third place and was followed by The Defender among five starters.

Dark bay horse Wifi posted an authoritative four lengths victory over co-favourite Arabian Queen to win the second race.

Rider Mohammad Sajjad stole limelight with a back-to-back double piloting home Public Fancy and Wifi in the first and second race.

Results:

THE NOVEMBER PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII — 4 F:

Public Fancy (Naseem) 8-13, Mohammad Sajjad 1; Sassy Gold 8-5, Nazil Hussain 2; Jungle Queen 8-2 (cr8-0), Safdar Hussain 3; The Defender (ex-Mera Dost) 8-2 (cr7-11), Majid Ali II 4.

Won by 2 L, 3 L, 5 L. Time: 0.54 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by owner.

THE NOVEMBER PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII — 4 F:

Wifi (Yasmeen Azhar) 8-10, Mohammad Sajjad 1; Arabian Queen 8-10, Mohammad Manzoor 2; Petra 9-1 (cr8-11,) Safdar Hussain 3; Humaira Choice 9-0 (cr8-7), Ali Raza II 4.

Won by 4 L, 3 L, 2½ L. Time: 0.53 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Ghulam Shabbir II.

THE NOVEMBER CUP SCALE ORDER VI & VII — 4 F:

Soldier Girl (Mohammad Shakeel) 8-6, Waheed Baran 1; Haseena-e-Arab 9-0, Mohammad Manzoor 2; Hawwaam 8-4, Mohammad Sajjad 3; Meri Chahat 8-6, Wasim 4.

Won by ½ L, 8 L, ½ L. Time: 0.52 4/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mujahid Ali.

THE NOVEMBER PLATE SCALE ORDER IV & V — 4½ F:

Gladiator (Rana Jawwad Sarwar) 9-0, Safdar Hussain 1; Soldier Queen 8-0, Latif 2; Piyara Faisal 7-9, Zaki Zakir 3; Torrent 8-3, Yousuf Ikram 4.

Won by 4½ L, ½ L, Dist. Time: 0.58 seconds. Winner trained by Mohammad Irfan.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2020