Cheer Leader clinches Queen's Best Cup at KRC.

KARACHI -- Public fancy filly Cheer Leader opened her new year account by getting the better of another filly Princess Sadia by three-and-a-half lengths to lift the Queen's Best Cup in the Gymkhana race meeting here at the Karachi Racecourse on Saturday.

Incumbent champion rider Adnan Khan received serious injuries after falling from his mount Time Game at the bend in the cup race and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

In a late burst, Cheer Leader came from behind to oblige punters and justify her billing on a day when four favourites bit the dust in a seven-race card. She romped home in one minute and ten seconds in the five-and-a-half furlongs race with rider Zaki Zakir astride.

Filly Silent Response had to be content with third place five lengths behind while chestnut filly Hessa completed the frame another six lengths away.

The victorious filly from the stables of Syed Sibghatullah Shah Pir Pagara was sent by trainer Mohyuddin.

Earlier, another favourite chestnut horse Arsalan Choice galloped to four lengths victory over stable-mate bay horse Deewana in the second race. He clocked 0.524/5 seconds for four furlongs under rider M. Asim.

The two horses were followed by mares Star Queen and Bangash Queen respectively among five acceptors.

Mare Heer prevailed over co-favourite dark bay horse Night Vision by a length to clinch the sixth race which was the day's supporting event under combined scale order I and II. She posted one minute and one second for five furlongs with rider Sohail Ahmed in the saddle.

Bay horses Zaheer Choice and Robert occupied third and fourth places on board respectively among half-a-dozen competitors.

The triumph of Heer enabled Mohyuddin to end the day with a double.

The first and third race witnessed re-betting after horses were scratched at the...