LAHORE: Unknown pedigree colt Salam-e-Dera caused the biggest upset of the day when powering to victory in the Faisalabad Cup during the Lahore Winter Meeting at the Racecourse here on Sunday.

Purchased recently by well-known owner, Muntazir Mehdi and trained by Tanvir Aslam the four-year-old bay colt left the race-goers scratching their head by a top class performance in the company of 16-thoroughbreds from the select bloodline of reputed sires like Muzdahar, Western Choice, Dubai Edition, Orizaba, Assassi, Conflict, Quil­l­b­oquet, Dunhill Star, the Invincible and the Atlantic Sport.

Participating in the 1,100-metre race for Class VI Division III and IV combined handicap race, the rank outsider Salam-e-Dera led all the way home from the start to beat long shot colt Ned’s Dream by two clear lengths.

Chestnut colt Nanook and filly River Rose slithering pathetically behind the two, occupied third and fourth spot, respectively, in a dismal run.

Riding boy Pervez Bhatti had the credit of partnering Salam-e-Dera to cap the weekend racing with a well-deserved brace of winners after having already ridden bay colt Gambler Boy in the second race to bring Tanvir Aslam in to racing limelight.

The Jockey Club of Pakistan chairman Syed Pervez Hussain, who is also Lahore Race Club (LRC) steward, gave away the cup to the winning owner.

The LRC stewards were not satisfied with the doubtful handling of favourite, bay horse Daniel Bryan by riding boy Sunny Babu in the opening race. They suspended him from riding for six months. In another prompt action they stopped entry in races of filly Aftab Princess for six months following the favourite’s poor show in the third race who ran off the frame leaving race-goers finger-crossed. The LRC veterinary Officer examined the filly and found it sluggish and unfit to race. They also stopped entries of bay colt Sumy Choice in races for three months after his dismal performance to run off the frame in the feature event, the Faisalabad Cup. Sunny Choice was examined by the LRC V.O, who certified it running temperature.

Results:

THE CEASAR PLATE CLASS VII DIV V-B — 1,000M:

Kahkashan (Sufyan Ashraf) 7-10, Sajjad Hussain 1; Lucky Sohna 8-10, Shah Nawaz 2; Sonay Ki Chirya 8-6, S. Raza 3; Shafay Mari Jan 8-10, Kashif Rehman 4.

Won by 1¼ L, 4 L, 4½ L. Time one minute 6 seconds. Winner trained privately by Mohammad Kamal.

THE CEASAR PLATE CLASS VII DIV V-A — 1,000M:

Gambler Boy (Asim Raza) 8-6, Pervez Bhatti 1; Stella 8-8, Alam Sher 2; Furious 8-8, Mohammad Wasim 3; Mehmoor Princess 8-8, Munir Hussain 4.

Won by 2½ L, 2 L, ¾ L. Time one minute 4 2/5 seconds. Winner trained privately by Tanvir Aslam.

THE CEASAR PLATE CLASS VII DIV IV & V — 1,000M:

Happiness Moment (Arif Mahmood Butt) 9-0, S. Raza 1; Uzair Prince 8-10, Mohammad Manzoor 2; Stone Queen 8-12, Mohammad Munir II 3; Buzkushi 8-6, Shah Nawaz 4.

Won by Short-head, ¾ L, 3 L. Time one minute 4 seconds. Winner trained by Salahuddin.

THE CEASAR PLATE CLASS VII DIV III & IV — 1,000M:

Golden Pound (Malik Khalid Mahmood Paracha) 8-4, Aftab Chaudhry 1; New Sonia 8-8, Mohammad Manzoor 2; Dil Wali 8-10, Mohammad Javed 3; Grey Invader 8-0, Shah Nawaz 4.

Won by ½ L, 2 L, Distance. Time one minute 3 2/5 seconds. Winner trained by Mohammad Afzal.

THE FAISALABAD CUP CLASS VI DIV III & IV — 1,100M:

Salam-e-Dera (Muntazir Mehdi) 8-6, Pervez Bhatti 1; Ned’s Dream 8-4, Mohammad Wasim 1; Nanook 8-6, Mohammad Essa 3; River Rose 8-2, S. Raza 4.

Won by 2 L, 1¼ L, ¾ L. Time one minute 7 1/5 seconds. Winner trained by Tanvir Aslam.

THE CEASAR PLATE CLASS VII DIV I & II — 1,000M:

Banjo (Syed Natiq Hussain) 9-2, Tahir Abbas 1; Salam-e-Kaif 8-6, Mohammad Manzoor 2; Neeli The Great 8-4, Mohammad Jamil 3; Abdullah Princess 8-12, Mohammad Wasim 4.

Won by 3 L, ½ L, 2 L. Time one minute 2 4/5 seconds. Winner trained privately by Tauheed Manzoor.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2018