LAHORE: There was no stopping Galactica. The rank outsider bay filly won the 1000 Guineas Of Pakistan, the Rs2million classic, run over a mile by defeating a strong field in the crowning event of an eight-race card at the Lahore Racecourse here on Sunday.

Trained by leading conditioner Rashid Latif and ridden by Nafeel Aamir, Galactica showed no problem romping to a three-and-a-half lengths success over Borte while the 40 to 100 favourite filly, Sarabi ran a miserable third with a neck’s margin over Queen edging the frame among 15 fillies who ran in a term race for four-year-old fillies foaled in 2019.

While the poor performance of the unbeaten Sarabi, running under Safdar Hussain, raised many questions, Galactica’s win gave a perfect recognition to English sire Galactic Star after his progeney’s emphatic win.

The winning owner Choudhry Aamir Majeed was presented the cup by the LRC steward Mohamamd Kaleem Khan while the shocked punters saw the prize- distribution ceremony in a pin drop silence.

Earlier in the main supporting event, the Anar Kali Cup, a term race for three-year-old fillies run over 1200 metres, the 40 to 100 favourite filly Leisure Trip landed an easy nine-lengths victory under Safdar Hussain, who had ridden the M. Afzal trained filly in a different style to her maiden success.

The second supporting event, the Khyber Cup run over 1300 metres was won by chestnut colt Jim And Tonic. The Wali Mohammad Awan-owned and A. B. Malik-trained colt was ridden by Aamir Pervez.

The third main supporting event, Choudhry Mohammad Saeed Memorial Cup run over 1400 metres was won by the totally neglected colt Mr Perfect, who ran perfectly well to claim the cup.

Choudhry Mahmood Ahmad-owned and Haji Abid Mahmood-trained colt was steered by Mazhar Ali to a comfortable success.

The turf accountants had an upper edge over the favourite backers when three favourites and a co-favourite won in a card of eight races.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2023