KARACHI: Champion jockey Mohd Essa asserted himself to win two races at the Karachi track on Sunday.

He piloted home Reyan The Great in the second race, and went on to complete the only double of the day astride Dilruba in the third and main event. On both occasion he was at his best and did full justice to the job in hand.

He made the most of favourable demotion of Reyan the Great when he licked crowd fancy Aitbaar with a well-timed burst in the second race. Dark Secret settled for third position with The Tigress completing the frame.

Essa was seen at his best when he rode Dilruba to victory in the next race. He held back a very strong challenge from Ikhtiar ridden by another front line jockey GH Shabbir II, with stable-mate Ittahad also finishing in money.

Next two races were won by rank outsiders, with Lion of Arab making it two in row carrying heavy impost of 9-1 in the saddle. It cashed on the misfortune of a crowd fancy Inside Story who broke down after leading the pack until the bend.

Whirl Wind won the fifth race beating first favourite Hannibal in a close race. Without doubting the merit of Whirl Wind's victory, we have a strong basis to question Waheed's handling of second placed Hannibal.

The day's last three races were won by crowd fancies. Baazbabaaz won the sixth race in the colour of Syed Konain Mohd Shah, while the last two races obliged 'The News' at lucrative odds.