KARACHI: Second-favourite bay horse Thunder Strike upset odds-on favourite bay horse Azeem Choice, galloping to two-and-a-half lengths victory to clinch the Labour Day Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

This was Thunder Strike’s maiden win of the year in two outings in the four furlongs race under scale order II, III, IV and V. Trained by M. Rashid, he was piloted home by rider Ali Ehsan in 0.514/5 seconds. Debutant colt Royal Administrator fell third two lengths away while bay horse Hi Alert completed the frame another half length behind.

A race earlier, public fancy grey horse Flag Of Champion obliged all and sundry registering a fluent five lengths victory over bay horse Achilles to win the third and supporting race. He was home in 0.511/5 seconds with rider Fahim K. in the saddle.

Bay horse Mastana was denied to complete hat-trick as he had to be content with third place by six lengths with bay horse Epsom completing the quartet one-and-a-half lengths behind.

At the outset, co-favourite bay horse Thakur proved his mettle while edging dark bay horse Zayan by neck open his account. He was steered to success by rider Asad Abbas II in the four furlongs race in 0.542/5 seconds.

Favourite bay horse Desco was on song while defeating bay horse Faisal King as he pleased by seven lengths to claim honours in the second race. Rider A. Qayyum guided the horse to first triumph in five attempts in 0.522/5 seconds.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2023