August 8, 2002	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 28,1423

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LAHORE, Aug 7: Followers of favourites suffered heavy losses when fancied runners flopped in four out of five events decided in the mid-week Lahore Gymkhana races at the  Racecourse Wednesday.

The only favourite to oblige was the chestnut gelding Science Fiction in the second race, who wore down Love Land by three lengths. Sarafan and High Speed finished third and fourth. In all, eight ran for in which the winner clocked 51 2/5 seconds over 800 metres.

The favourites rout began from the opener when four to one Sugar Dady made Pappa Jan a target in a closely contested affair. Last Love and fancied Delta Song finishing third and fourth.

Half-money favourite  Science Fiction gave some respite  to backers by winning the second race.

Long shot Blue Champion beat the fancied Love Faisal in the third race by three-fourth of a length. Jockey M. Imran, who rode Love Faisal was not seen at his best on his mount and it looked he intentionally let Blue Champion win the race.

The Lahore Race Club (LRC) stewards immediately called M. Imran for explanation of his “unsatisfactory” handling of Love Faisal. Not being satisfied with his plea, the  stewards  warned him  off for three months.

Another long shot Track Star won the fourth race after the stewards changed colt’s rider substituting M. Zeeshan in place of M. Jehangir. Track Star beat 35 to 100 favourite Sun Of Gold. The fifth  and  feature event were won by Dillagi, who  stormed home over eight lengths ahead of the field.

Champion trainer, Raja Tehmasab Khan, stole the day’s honours by saddling two winners. He first sent out fancied Science Fiction in the second race and then saddled Blue Champion in the  following event. All races  were  contested over the sprinting distance of 800 metres.