KARACHI: Rank outsider grey horse Flag Of Champion edged past stable-mate bay horse Hi Alert by head to clinch the Karachi Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.
Running on the heels of Hi Alert, Flag Of Champion overtook the frontrunner at fag-end to claim honours in the four furlongs race clocking 0.521/5 seconds with rider Fahim. K in the saddle.
Earlier, Hi Alert was opened favourite when the betting for the race commenced but the connection played gimmick and went with Flag Of Champion sending shockwaves among punters.
Bay horse Epsom fell third beaten by three-quarters-of-a-length and was followed by mare Meri Chahat another six lengths away among half-a-dozen contestants.
Chestnut horse Seven Star could not make it to the race because of being scratched in the morning declaration.
The victorious horse belonged to the stables of Qamar Abbas and Haider Abbas and was sent by trainer Amjad Ali.
At the outset, long shot mare Bangash Queen created quite a stir galloping to two lengths victory over dark bay mare Basanti, belonging to the same connection, to grab the opening race.
Bangash Queen returned home in 0.541/5 seconds to make it two on trot. She was ably ridden home by rider Aashiq Ali.
Public fancy mare Dolce had to be content with third place pushed by five lengths while bay horse Zayan completed the frame a length-and-a-half away among five acceptors.
The third and concluding race ended in a dead heat between favourite chestnut horse Golden Arrow and bay horse Geo Jalal in an exciting finish.
Geo Jalal had a brisk start and led the four-horse field after the bend when a fast-chasing Golden Arrow came close and the two crossed the winning post together.
They were followed by bay horse Come On Champion and chestnut colt Loyal Champion respectively.
Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2023
