KARACHI: Favourite bay horse Mark My Words proved his credentials by storming to half-a-length victory over fellow bay horse Mr On Job to win the New Year Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Mark My Words, who had to be content with second place last week, came from behind in the home stretch to get past front-runner Victoria to open his new year account.

The latter ended up third, further beaten by a length-and-a-half and was followed by chestnut colt Moving Violation. The victorious horse was piloted home by rider Waheed Baran clocking 0.51 seconds for four furlongs race that featured seven horses.

The fourth and the last race, which was also the day’s feature event under scale order I, II and III, was cancelled by stewards for want of competition as bay horse Pedro died the other day due to fever leaving only three horses in fray.

Earlier, favourites were on song as they obliged punters in the first two races of the day.

Bay horse No Bargaining made amends, defeating chestnut horse Kuwait City as he pleased by a whopping 10 lengths to grab honours in the opening race.

He was home in 0.51 seconds with rider Fahim K. in the saddle. Bay horse Thank You and dark bay mare Little Darling finished third and fourth respectively.

Rider Ali Ehsan was lucky to escape injury when Touch of Gold became lame at the bend while competing in the race. Mare Arooj could not make it as she ran away from the gate while chestnut horse Young Hero was scratched.

Chestnut horse Apple Of My Eye celebrated the day by registering a fluent four-and-a-half lengths victory over bay horse Do It to claim the second race.

Rider Dinar Mirwani steered the horse to success clocking 0.50 seconds for four furlongs. Bay horse Faisal King seized third place and was followed by dark bay horse Mandi Boy.

Earlier, the race witnessed withdrawals of mare Shobika and bay horse Chau leaving a quartet to vie for honours. The former was withdrawn due to fever while the latter got injured at the starting gate.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2025