LAHORE: The racing card at the Lahore Race Club(LRC) on Sunday produced a string of upsets, with six of the seven contests defying expectations. The only favourite to justify its billing was Hi Volt, who stormed to victory in the fifth race, while the rest of the day belonged to outsiders and fluke entries.
As six of seven races producing unexpected results, Sunday’s card at Lahore Race Club was a reminder of racing’s unpredictability. Only Hi Volt lived up to its billing, while outsiders and fluke entries stole the spotlight, thrilling spectators and punters alike.
In the opening race, the tone for the day as Larges stunned the field with an upset win. Singhar finished second and Malik Choice third, leaving all favourites out of the frame. Another upset followed in the second race as Fayyum, ridden by Sunny Babu and owned by Musa Mazhar, made it two wins in a row. Safe Bet lived up to its name by finishing second, while Lucky Macs surprised with third place. Even in the third race, Pakiza, guided by Awais Anjum and owned by Qudrat-ullah Sandhu/Ch Abuzar Sandhu, claimed victory under trainer Rashid Latif. Red Chilly finished second on a fluke, while Luckvir took third.
The result on surprise remained the same in the fourth race as well. In a thrilling finish, Waqat Surge snatched victory in the final strides. Owned by Khawaja Atif and bred by Alizai Stud Farm, the colt edged past Set In Stone (a fluke entry) and Samore City, who finished third.
The fifth race was the only contest that went by the book saw favourite Hi Volt, owned by Dr Abubakar Durrani, ridden by Awais Anjum, and trained by Rashid Latif, secure victory. Sher Khan finished second as expected, while Dominus claimed third.
The trend of shock returned yet again in the sixth race. The surprises continued as fluke entry Green Card, ridden by Aftab Chaudhary and trained by Haji Abid Mehmood, strolled to victory. Sysmed Queen, the favourite, had to settle for second, while Ghuroor finished third. The finale too capped off the day’s drama with Khokhar One surging late to clinch victory. Moni Prince surprised with second place, while Queen of Pharoah managed third.
