KARACHI, March 7: Faisal Farooq’s chestnut colt Deniro stole the show once again, by picking up the spoils in the main event of the Winter Gymkhana Meeting at Karachi Racecourse Thursday afternoon.
Partnered once again by riding boy Naveed, The Flaming Arrow-Singing Time sibling never gave the supporters any anxious moments picking up pace as heads turned for home. Dushtiani running a close third behind Lucky One nearing the turn, went on to finish second, with Lucky One third and Sachin chasing the front runners finishing fourth.
The winner was trained by former rider Zahid Hussain, who is back here in the racing scene after being engaged for some time in Dubai.
In the opener, Syed Ali Gouhar Shah had three of his runners in the race and decided to go with Fantazm ridden by M. Nasir. Fantazm won the race by one length from stable companion Royal Springs, mind you only in the race for a place chance. Sher Khan was quite content to finish third a further four lengths behind, with Speed Fire completing the frame.
The second event made a complete mockery of horseracing. The event was won by outsider Shining Rock, after the crowd fancy Baby Tabassum decided to play truant and finish a very bad third behind Royal Wisdom, another contender from the Syed Ali Gouhar Shah’s stables.
The racing fans were furious and protested vehemently. The Stewards called for a replay of the race and after studying the tape minutely, very rightly cancelled the event much to the relief of the fans.
The next race was won by Bach Fly after jockey Ashiq Ali was called upon to replace M. Nasir in the saddle. The chestnut gelding came sprinting from behind to collar raging favourite Zabyan 100 yards from the winning post, with Raysham clinging on to the third spot. Striker, with a late burst completed the frame.
In the fourth race of the afternoon, another firm favourite Walking Distance bit the dust, beaten by half a length by Shahrukh’s bay filly Smiling Senorita, making it two wins in a row for the owner, trainer Iftikhar Ali and riding boy Kashif Ali.
In the far distance My Time finished third and Satellite Star completed the frame.
The next race meeting is scheduled to be held March 12.
Following are the results:
SINDH PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-IV 5F
Fantazm (Mr. S. Ali Gohar Shah) 8-10 M. Nasir 1, Royal Springs 7-13 Saif Mohammad 2, Sher Khan 7-8 S. Khan 3, Speed Fire 8-5 Faisal Khan 4.
Also ran: Maina Again, Springs Fair, Money Make Music, Shantul, Vicky Jee, Baby Concept, Meri Maya and Marow Malir.
Won by 1L, 4L, 5 1/2L. Time 1 min 12 1/5 sec. Winner trained by Talib Hussain.
SINDH PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-III 5F
RACE CANCELLED./
SINDH PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-II 5F
Bach Fly (Mr. M. Yaqoob Butt) 8-0 Ashiq Ali 1, Zabyan 8-10 M. Yousuf 2, Raysham 7-10 Zubair Ahmed 3, Striker 8-2 Muzaffar Hussain 4.
Also ran: Gambling Baby, Gold Money, Tanveer-e-Sehar, Baa Wafa, Be Wafa, Trust, Bright China and Richy Rich.
Won by 2L, 4L, 3 1/2L. Time 1 min 8 1/5 sec. Winner trained by M. Tufail.
SINDH PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-I 5F
Smiling Senorita (Mr. Shahrukh) 8-12 Kashif Ali 1, Walking Distance 8-12 Ahmed 2, My Time 8-12 Murad Ali 3, Satellite Star 8-7 M. Bashir 4.
Also ran: Janisar, Maha Sagar, Lightening Arrow, Lucky Prince, Wonder Thunder, Ever Shine, Splendid Winner, Black Magic, Black Champion, My Lucky Star, Jack Pot, Lawrence Of Arabia, Ustadon Ka Ustad and Small Wonder.
Won by 1/2L, 5 1/2L, 6 1/2L. Time 1 min 6 4/5 sec. Winner trained by Iftikhar Ali.
SINDH PLATE CLASS IX DIV VII 5F
Deniro (Mr. Faisal Farooq) 8-11 Naveed 1, Dushtiani 8-8 Ahmed 2, Lucky One 8-6 Tariq Mehmood 3, Sachin 7-11 Zubair Ahmed 4.
Also ran: Quick Mover, Venturis Arrow, Laurel, Romantic Champ, Lady Of Secret, Shama, Miss Ruby, Lucky One, Charismatic Eyes, Donatello, Recent Command, Royal Honest, Genuine Risk, Sone Pari and Flying Bird.