KARACHI: Favourite bay horse Churchill lifted the Iqbal Day Cup as horses from the same connection dominated the six-race card in the Gymkhana race meeting at the Karachi Racecourse on Saturday.

Churchill, who finished nowhere in its first run of the year last week, defeated mare Princess Maria as it pleased by seven lengths in the five fur-longs race clocl(ing one minute two seconds with rider M. Sajjad in the saddle.

Dawn was not informed about the abrupt change to hold the races on Saturday instead of Sunday as announced earlier.

The change to bring forward the races by a day was made to avoid clash with the ICC T20 World Cup final, an official said.Bay horse Robert seized third place five lengths behind and was followed by bay horse Zaheer Choice edged by neck.

Filly Cheer Leader pulled off the only upset of the day edging colt Valentino by head in a close contest to clinch the Performance Cup.

It was piloted home by rider Adnan Khan in 0.593/5 seconds in the four-and-a-half furlongs race.

Fillies Time Game and Love Story grabbed third and fourth places on board beaten by two and three lengths respectively.

Mare Sherzadi was on song by capturing the opening race defeating bay horse Faisal King by a length-and-aquarter to open its account. It romped home in 0.514/5 seconds in four fur-longs race under rider M. Asim.

Zayan and Faisal Choice followed the top two in same order on board respectively beaten by six lengths apiece.

Filly English Doll returned with flying colours in the second race registering four lengths victory over Geo Channa. The filly was steered to its maiden success by rider Sohail Ahmedclocking 0.522/5 seconds for four furlongs. Basanti and Arsalan Choice had to be content with third and fourth places respectively.

Mare Galileo Lady and filly Queen`s Pride annexed the third and fourth races respectively. The former coasted to a length victory over mare Stella while the latter returned home over mare Golden Arrow.-Anwar Zuberi