KARACHI, Feb 16: The bay colt Donatello, tired of finishing as second best in his last few outings, lifted the Eid Milan Cup in style, beating Laurel over the sprinting distance of six furlongs by 1 3/4 lengths, at the Winter Gymkhana Meeting held on Sunday at the Karachi Racecourse.
Owned by Messrs. Yahya Shahid and Faraz Shahid and smartly ridden by jockey Muzaffar Hussain, Dontetello fancied as second best in our racing column, was engaged in a keen tussle by the favourite Rashmee, partnered by Mujahid Ali. But nearing the bend, Rashmee under constant pressure since the race began ran out of steam which enabled Donetello lift the cup for the proud owners.
Deniro preferred by the stable connections instead of X’tasy, was third and Jugni completed the frame.
This victory enabled Muzaffar finish the afternoon’s programme with a brace of winners. Earlier the young rider piloted home the bay gelding Striker to victory in the second race. Striker a 5 to 1 chance was tipped in our columns to win this race.
However, our day’s best Free Lancer, on song for his fourth straight victory, was soundly beaten by Lady’s Love in the concluding event. Owned by Shah Mardan Shah II, Pir Pagaro VII and trained by Allah Judrio, the chestnut filly ridden by Tariq Mahmood, never gave the connections any anxious moments, romping home to victory over five furlongs in a time of one minute four seconds, with plenty to spare.
The first race of the afternoon was bagged by Darbari Malang with jockey S. Khan astride, beating Sher Khan by two lengths. Black Gift was third and Mera Kiya Kasoor completed the frame.
Yousuf Dada’s bay horse Ford Mustang, also tipped to win in our columns, never let the large band of supporters down. With Shehzad holding the reins, Ford Mustang galloped to victory followed home by Clever Cat, Rich Valiant and Classic Beauty.
The fourth race of the afternoon was won by the grey gelding Sarafan, holding off the belated challenge of the favourite Mera Jugnoo, trying desperately hard for a hat trick of wins. Ceasar’s Palace and Win Today completed the frame.
Defence Academy, also tipped in our columns to win, made amends for last Sunday’s defeat, winning the fifth race by a street. The winner was followed home by Just In Fun, Mah Sagar, with Blue’s Night completing the frame.
The next race meeting is scheduled for Sunday, Feb 23.
Following are the results:
MULTAN PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-V 5F
Darbari Malang (Mr. Mohammad Farooq) 7-10 S. Khan 1, Sher Khan 7-7 Sohail Ahmed 2, Black Gift 8-12 Nisar Ahmed 3, Mera Kiya Kasoor 9-2. M. Ikram 4.
Won by 2L, 1/4L, 6L. Time 1 min 11 3/5 sec. Winner trained by Karim Agha.
MULTAN PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-IV 5F
Striker (Mr. Pervaiz Khan) Muzaffar Hussain 1, Major Dandy 8-3 Naveed 2, Super Boy 8-1 Manzoor 3, Rukhsar 8-3 Ghulam Hyder 4.
Won by 1 1/2L, 9L, 3/4L. Time 1 min 11 1/5 sec. Winner trained by M. Hanif.
MULTAN PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-III 5F
Ford Mustang 8-8 Shahzad 1, Clever Cat 8-9 Tariq Mahmood 2, Rich Valiant 9-0 M. Akram 3, Classic Beauty 82 Khizer 4.
Won by 2 1/4L, 2L, 5L. Time 1 min 8 2/5 sec. Winner trained by M. Sharif.
MULTAN PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-II 5F
Sarafan (Mr. Ali Reza) 8-6 Tariq Baran 1, Mera Jugnoo 9-2 Tariq Mahmood 2, Ceaser’s Palace 8-10 Naveed 3, Win Today 8-12 Muzaffar Hussain 4.
Won by 2 1/4L, 3/4L, 1L Time 1 min 8 3/5 sec. Winner trained by Aurangzeb Khan.
MULTAN PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-I
Defence Academy 8-9 Arshad 1, Just In Fun 8-5 Azeem 2, Maha Sagar 9-0 Mujahid Ali 3, Blue’s Night 7-1 Dasrat 4.
Won by 9 1/5L, 1L, Dist. Time 1 min 7 3/5 sec. Winner trained by Nazir.
EID MILAN CUP CLASS IX DIV V & VI 6G
Donatello (M/s.. Yahaya Shahid & Faraz Shahid) 8-13 Muzaffar Hussain 1, Laurel 8-6 Zahoor Ahmed 2, Jugni 7-10 Tariq Mahmood 4.
Also ran : Cloud Waltzer, X’tasy, Snake Eyed, Queen Of Hearts, Rashmee, Champion Star, Hamza Saheb 7-11, Lovely Concept and Royal Lancer.
Won by 1 3/4L, 1L, 6L. Time 1 min 19 4/5 sec. Winner trained by Irfan.
MULTAN PLATE CLASS IX CLASS VII 5F
Lady’s Love (Shah Mardan Shah II, Pir Pagara VII) Tariq Mahmood 1, Free Lancer 8-12 Arshad 2, Aziz Love 9-1 Bashir Karim 3, Sarazen 8-11 Sher Mohammad 4.
Won by 8 1/4L, 3 3/4L. Dist. Time 1 min 8 1/4 sec. Winner trained Allah Judrio.