Thunder Strike triumphs at May Cup
KARACHI: Favourite bay horse Thunder Strike added yet another feather to his cap while defeating bay colt Royal Administrator as he pleased by 12 lengths to clinch the May Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting here at the Racecourse on Sunday.
Having already won the Labour Day Cup in his last outing, Thunder Strike maintained his form to win hands-down in a start-to-finish bid. He romped home in 0.501/5 seconds in the four furlongs race with rider Ali Ehsan in the saddle.
Bay horse Golden Step occupied third place two-and-a-half lengths behind while another bay horse Gold Company completed the quartet further seven lengths away in a field of seven horses.
The horse which belongs to the stables of Ather Abbas was partnered by trainer M. Rashid.
Overall, three favourites obliged punters in a five-race card of the day.
Making her appearance after a layoff, public fancy chestnut mare Spirit, as expected, obliged all and sundry galloping to an exciting six lengths victory over bay horse Come On Champion to annex the day’s feature event.
She was ably ridden home by rider Aashiq Ali in the four furlongs contest in 0.501/5 seconds.
Chestnut horse Thunder Star seized third place being edged by distance and was followed by bay horse Kuwait Edition a length-and-a-half behind.
Another public fancy bay horse Achilles also lived up to his billing imposing to whopping 12 lengths victory over bay horse Mastana to claim honours in the second race.
The winning horse clocked 0.522/5 seconds for four furlongs under rider M. Sajjad.
Bay horse Canadian King and filly Believe In Cash grabbed third and fourth places respectively among four starters.
At the outset, gelding Faisal Choice lowered the colours of favourite mare Stifee registering two lengths victory to claim the opening race in 0.541/5 seconds.
Bay horse Thakur had to be content with third place ahead of mare Bangash Queen in a field of nine horses.
Another long shot mare Jugni hogged limelight while getting the better of co-favourite chestnut horse Wapiti by four-and-a-half lengths to win the third race. She was home in 0.501/5 seconds.
Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2023