Sahil marks victory Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup
KARACHI: Justifying his credentials incumbent Derby winner and public fancy four-year-old bay colt Sahil achieved another feat when he galloped to a fascinating eight lengths victory over four-year-old bay colt Shoreway to lift the showpiece event of Karachi Race Club (KRC) — the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup at the Karachi Racecourse on Saturday.
The packed to capacity stand greeted the victorious horse by giving him a standing ovation as he entered the paddock with celebrated jockey Aftab Chaudhry in the saddle.
“I was confident of completing a double — Derby and Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup — the same year and I proved it,” an elated Aftab told Dawn. He had accomplished this feat in 2019 as well.
Lahore-based Aftab had already achieved a rare honour of completing a hat-trick on the same horse (Big Bravo) in the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup from 2017 to 2019.
Defending champion bay horse Royal Ransom had to be content with the third-place falling four lengths behind while Big Faith completed the frame edged by the head. Both the horses are from the same pedigree as Sahil.
Winning owner of Sahil, Khawaja M. Atif received a purse of Rs0.7 million and the glittering trophy from Sindh Governor Imran Ismail alongside KRC president Syed Sadruddin Shah amid applause. A total amount of over Rs3 million was at stake in the day’s races.
The 2000 Guineas of Pakistan ended in a blaze of glory for bay colt Fantastico after favourite and front-runner Warrior’s Call became lame while negotiating the bend.