KARACHI: Making his maiden appearance of the year, favourite chestnut colt King’s Ransom delighted racegoers galloping to an exciting six lengths victory over bay horse Gold Company to win honours in the Liberty Cup during the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Sunday.

Fancied filly Princess Sadia who was on course for hat-trick, could not make it to the competition as she was scratched in the morning declaration on fitness grounds leaving five horses in fray in the cup race.

The victorious horse was piloted home by rider Fahim K. in 0.501/5 seconds in the four furlongs contest. He belonged to the stables of Syed Wajihuddin and was partnered by trainer M. Irfan.

Bay horse Azeem Choice grabbed third place edged by half-a-length while bay horse Come On Champion completed the quartet further pushed by distance.

The day saw only two favourites return with flying colours in a five-race card under scorching heat.

Bay horse Raging Comet was the other horse who lived up to his billing while capturing the fifth and supporting race.

He stormed to three lengths victory over bay horse Golden Step to complete his hat-trick under ace rider Zaki Zakir by clocking 0.521/5 seconds.

Colt Magistrate occupied third place four lengths behind and was followed by filly Flaming Ember being edged by distance among half-a-dozen starters as bay horse Hi Alert was scratched in morning.

Earlier, trio of favourites bit the dust in the first three races of card.

Making amends, bay horse Canadian King prevailed over public fancy bay horse Safeer Love in a close finish by neck to win the opening race.

He was ably ridden home by rider M. Sajjad in 0.532/5 seconds in the four furlongs race.

Gelding Faisal Choice and dark bay horse Zayan clinched the next two places on board respectively.

Grey horse Chota Jalal lowered the colours of debutant and favourite Hit Man imposing to a len­gth-and-a-quarter victory to claim the second place.

He clocked 0.523/5 seconds under rider Asad Aksir.

Chestnut horse Arsalan Choice and bay horse Thakur followed the two beaten by five and three lengths respectively.

Long shot bay horse Desco edged mare Meri Chahat by short-head verdict to clinch the third race. He was home in 0.532/5 seconds with rider A. Qayyum astride.

Bay horse Epsom finished third beaten by seven lengths while favourite bay horse Achilles had to be content with fourth place another three-quarters-of-a-length away.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2023