LAHORE, Aug 28: The favourite, Shatar, proved worth his name when the colt was withdrawn from the second event after being found sluggish at the starting gate before the start of the race on Sunday.

The three-year-old colt, Shatar, a progeny of Fair Magic out-of-Black Beauty, opened a 40 to 100 favourite but his odds went up to 80 to 100.

The Lahore Race Club stewards sensing some foul play behind the whole affair ordered that the colt be examined by the veterinary officer, who found it sluggish and unfit to race. Subsequently, the colt was withdrawn from the race.

The race-goers have demanded that the LRC stewards should give exemplary punishment to owners, who want to make easy money by foul tactics and bring bad name to the sport.

The horses, who are brought in unfit condition, particularly the favourites, should also be disqualified for racing for a certain period, it was further demanded.

They appealed to LRC chairman to personally look into cases of such malpractice and award punishment. —A.G