KARACHI: As expected, thoroughbred colt Geo Baba proved his mettle while lowering the colours of bay horse Robert by a length-and-a-quarter to win the April Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Geo Baba, who has returned to winning ways after almost two months, clocked 0.571/5 seconds for a four-and-a-half furlong contest with rider Asad Aksir in the saddle.

His stable mate mare Princess Maria, who opened co-favourite with Robert, was placed third by a length while bay horse Zaheer Choice completed the frame another six lengths away.

Punters suffered as besides Geo Baba, two other rank outsiders won in a four-race card. The races commenced when long short bay horse Geo Ahsan galloped to a length-and-three-quarters victory over mare Baby Champion to clinch the opening race.

The victorious horse, who also is Geo Baba’s stable mate, was piloted home by Asad Abbas II in 0.541/5 seconds in the four-furlong sprint. The triumph helped owner-cum-trainer Haji Abdul Majeed to celebrate the double.

Public fancy Mastana had to be content with the third place two lengths away while gelding Faisal Choice completed the quartet another two-and-a-half lengths behind.

In yet another upset, mare Zahrish overcame victory jinx by imposing to a fluent five lengths victory over one of the co-favourites chestnut horse Wapiti in the third race.

She was home in 0.512/5 seconds in four furlongs race under rider Ali Ehsan.

Other co-favourite bay horse My Boy was pushed to third place, edged by head, and was followed by chestnut horse Khan Sahab (formerly Victor).

With a win already under his belt, favourite bay horse Golden Chance obliged all and sundry defeating mare Stifee as he pleased by five lengths to annex the second race.

He was ridden home by rider Pervaiz Ali in 0.521/5 seconds for four furlongs. Faisal King and Flag of Champion followed the top two in same order respectively.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2023