KARACHI: Public fancy four-year-old filly Smart Girl stormed to fascinating five lengths victory over New Class in the February Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

With a win under her belt, Smart Girl justified her credentials by making it two on the trot in an exciting fashion.

Owned by Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara and sent by trainer Mohyuddin, the victorious filly was piloted home by rider Tariq Baran efficiently.

Starka occupied third place beaten by five lengths while Smasher completed the frame another six lengths away.

Favourite Royal Duke demonstrated awesome form while galloping to a smart seven lengths victory over Airborne to complete hat-trick with rider Safdar Hussain in the saddle.

With one exception, favourites obliged racegoers in the other races of the card.

In the only upset, rank outsider Shan-e-Sikandar lowered the colours of favourite Sassy Gold by registering fluent seven lengths victory to clinch the opening race.

Hawwaam posted to a-length-and-a-quarter victory over co-favourite Little Darling to win honours in the second race.

In a close finish, Sehar Princess edged figh­ting Experience by Neck to win the third race.

Kamyaab and Stifee followed the top two in same order on board.

Rider of Experience Zaki Zakir was suspended under enquiry.

Meanwhile, the next Gymkhana race meeting will be held on Saturday (Feb 27).

Results:

THE FEBRUARY PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII 4 F:

Shan-e-Sikandar (Haji Sahib Jan Braech) 8-3 Safdar Hussain 1, Sassy Gold 8-8 Waheed Baran 2, Usman Chandiwala 9-0 M. Manzoor 3, Beneficial 8-3 M. Ramzan 4.

Won by 7 L, ¾ L, 5 L. Time: 0.52 3/5 seconds. Winner trained by Naved Baran.

THE FEBRUARY PLATE SCALE ORDER VIII 4 F:

Hawwaam (Mr M. Waqas Malik and Waiz Malik) 8-10 M. Manzoor 1, Little Darling 8-4 Safdar Hussain 2, Gypsy Queen 8-1 Ali Raza II, 3, Non Stop 8-5 Wasim 4.

Won by 1 ¼ L, 2 ½ L, ½ L. Time: 0.52 3/5 seconds. Winner trained by Naseem.

THE FEBRUARY PLATE SCALE ORDER VI & VII 4 F:

Sehar Princess (Haji Saleem Cheema) 8-5 Adnan Khan 1, Experience 8-8 Zaki Zakir 2, Kamyaab 9-0 M. Ramzan 3, Stifee (Late Arabian Queen) 8-9 Asad Aksir 4.

Won by Neck, 3 L, 3 ½ L. Time: 0.52 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Imran Shahzad.

THE FEBRUARY CUP SCALE ORDER II, III & IV 4 ½ F:

Smart Girl (Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara) 9-8 Tariq Baran 1, New Class 7-10 Asad Aksir 2, Starka 8-2 Ali Ehsan 3, Smasher 7-10 Latif 4.

Won by 5 L, 5 L, 6 L. Time: 0.56 3/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mohyuddin.

THE FEBRUARY PLATE SCALE ORDER V & VI 4 ½ F:

Royal Duke (Mr Rana Javed Sarwar) 9-2 Safdar Hussain 1, Airborne (Late Who is Next) 7-12 M. Sajjad 2, Soldier Star 7-11 Latif 3, Recovery 9-2 Adnan Khan 4.

Won by 7 L, S.H, 4 L. Time: 0.58 1/5 seconds. Winner trained by M. Irfan.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2021