Tuman Khan claims Sheikhupura Cup

LAHORE, May 15: Bay colt, Tuman Khan, came with a well-timed challenge to win the Sheikhupura Cup run over 1100m during the Lahore Winter Meeting at the flood-lit Racecourse on Sunday night. Owned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador in Islamabad, Mr. Ali Muhammad Al-Shamsi, the colt was given a patient ride by jockey Shahid Rehman to beat front-runner Charming King by over three lengths.

Tuman Khan showed horse's greatest virtue of speed and stamina to owner's delight, who drove from Islamabad to Lahore and watched the race from the VIPs enclosure.

Mr Al-Shamsi himself received the cup from the Lahore Race Club (LRC) chairman, Mr. Tariq Aziz amidst standing ovation by the race-fans.

This was the second success crowned by Tuman Khan for the lucky owner.

Al-Shamsi is the first foreign diplomat to own a race-horse in Pakistan and set a new precedent.

It was a partly cloudy day and almost a full moon shining right above the track and lights of crest thickening with the floodlight made the vision so clear as in daylight and atmosphere pleasant.

Yet another colt to win the distinction of scoring two successive victories was Mian Maahir Ahmad owned dark-bay Fido Dido, who won the fourth race.

The colt was running at third place behind leaders in the initial stage of the race but powered his way in straight to win easily defeating Cross Ruff by four lengths.

Shahid Rehman guided Fido Dido to score his first win of the day.

Shahid Rehman later achieved the rare feat of a hat trick of victories in the sixth and last race when he piloted home Shahpur Pride to cap up his hat-trick. Shahpur Pride beat Run And Win by one-and-a-half lengths. Owned by polo player Atif Yar Tiwana the winner is trained by Haji Fazal Hadi.

Bright Star sprang a big surprise when apprentice rider Hidayat Hussain scored a game victory on his debut at the Lahore Racecourse on Sunday. He won the third event defeating Golden Faith by five lengths. Another long shot to win was bay filly Dil Vil.

Interestingly Dil Vil was backed by the punters but her odds eased up to three to one for win and even-money for place. About a dozen race-fans tried to bring this fact into the notice of stewards by raising their four fingers in front of the stewards room as the filly's number was four in running order.

Owner, Mahmood Khan met the LRC chairman Tariq Aziz and apprised him of the matter.

Mahmood Khan told Dawn that the LRC chairman appreciated his initiative and advised him to report such matters in future too.

As the race began Dil Vil jumped in to the lead and went on to win the race in the same style.

The timely action was largely appreciated by the race-goers as they make the races clean and transparent.

Results.

PASRUR PLATE CLASS VII DIV II 900M.

Dreams Come True (Munir Ahmad Dar) 8-10 Anjum 1. Remember You 8-6 Parvaiz Bhatty 2. Wah Cisco Wah 7-13 M. Hussain. 3.Stride To Moment 9-0 Faisal Tahir 4.

Won by Neck, Neck, Neck. Time 59 seconds.

PASRUR PLATE CLASS VII I 900M.

Dil Vil (Javed Khalid) 8-10 Shakeel Mahmood 1. Wendy Trace 9-4 Shahid Rehman 2. Rana Choice 8-10 A. Imran 3. Che Guera 8-2 Ahmad Shah 4.

Won by 5 L, 1 1/2 L, 1 1/2 L. Time 56 4/5 secs. Winner trained by Javaid Shirazi.

KAMOKEY PLATE CLASS V DIV I & II 1100M.

Bright Star (Rashid Rasool) 8-10 Hidayat Hussain 1. Golden Faith 8-7 Shahid Mustafa 2. Token Of Love 7-12 A. Aziz 3. Moj Mela 8-7 A. Imran 4.

Won by 5 L, Neck, 5 1/2 L. Time one min 10 1/5 secs. Winner trained by Babar Bhatti.

KAMOKEY PLATE CLASS V DIV I 1100M.

Fido Dido (Mian Maahir Ahmad) 8-8 Shahid Rehman 1. Cross Ruff 9-0 A. Imran 2. Scarlet Empress 8-5 M. Hanif 3. Aya Chandiwala 9-0 M. Atif 4.

Won by 4 L, 3 L, 1 3/4 L. Time one minute 12 1/5 seconds. Winner trained by A. B. Malik.

SHEIKHUPURA CUP CLASS IV DIV III 1100M.

Tuman Khan( Ali Muhammad Al-Shamsi) 8-7 Shahid Rehman 1. Charming King 8-3 Ahmad Shah 2. Penalty Corner 8-7 Anjum 3. Big Bird 9-1 Faisal Tahir 4.