Wonder Woman clinches Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup
KARACHI: Justifying her top billing, four-year-old filly Wonder Woman rose to the occasion galloping to a length-and-a-quarter victory over bay horse Ex Gambler to clinch the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.
The 60 to 100 favourite filly overcame front runners Ex Gambler and Sincere Approach in the home stretch to win the glory and complete a hat-trick. She clocked two minutes and 13 1/5 seconds for 10 furlongs.
The victorious filly was ably ridden home by jockey Sohail Ahmed who ended the day with a treble with his other winners being mare Flirty Kiss and chestnut filly Fair Game.
“I was confident of winning the cup this time having finished as runner-up on the last five occasions”, said the 42-year-old Sohail who had to wait for quarter-of-a-century before laying his hands on the cup.
Filly Sincere Approach had to be content with third place beaten by four lengths while chestnut colt Mehrab Prince completed the frame further pushed by two lengths among five starters.
Owned by Syed Sibghatullah Shah III Pir Pagara VIII, Wonder Woman was partnered by veteran trainer Mohyuddin. The owner-trainer duo dominated the day by winning quadruple apiece.
All in all, five favourites obliged the punters in an eight-race card.
Dark bay filly Queen’s Jewel created quite a stir by getting the better of colt Dare U by four-and-a-half lengths to annex the 2000 Guineas of Pakistan. She won in one minute 46 2/5 seconds for a mile. Public fancy colt Nawab Prince grabbed third place and was followed by filly Special Surprise.
Favourite chestnut horse Mr. Magic overcame a bad patch beating bay horse Geo Jalal by distance to win the X-MAS Cup.
Bay horses Gee Bravo and Mandi Boy secured third and fourth places on board among the quartet.
Making amends, favourite filly Fair Game made her mark galloping to a splendid 10 lengths victory over stable mate Once in a While to win the Nursery Cup clocking one minute two 2/5 seconds for five furlongs.
Mare Flirty Kiss lowered the colours of favourite filly Fine Tune to land the Managing Committee Cup galloping to four-and-a-half lengths victory in one minute two 3/5 seconds.
Rocky and Always True followed the two in the same order.
In yet another upset, long shot Rock n Wild coasted to six lengths victory over stable-mate Pinky’s Promise to win the second race. Favourite Chose By Chance was not on job and was among those who also ran.
The races commenced and concluded on a happy note for race goers as favourites Chase Me and Fast Shooter won the respective races.
Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2025