KARACHI, March 9: The racing fans in this bustling metropolis were in for quite a shock when it was learnt that Karachi’s champion colt Steal The Show, was not allowed to participate in the Pakistan Derby, which is to be run over 12 furlongs at the Lahore racecourse Sunday.

According to information received the Flaming Arrow-Fearless Queen sibling was disqualified by the Lahore race authorities because of his alleged faulty credentials.

During a thorough examination according to them, a stunning fact came to light that the colt bore different markings as those listed in the registration record.

It may be recalled that the colt owned by Mr.M. Shafiq ran in Lahore last year as a three-year-old and also bagged the 2000 Guineas of Pakistan run over mile on Christmas Day.

The most boggling fact was the colt was allowed to run in the Derby trials held a few days ago and finished second behind Lahore’s champion Son Of A Gun.

It was also learnt that M. Shafiq’s other runner Sweet Touch was not allowed to run in Lahore this year as it was declared as a six-year-old. It may be recalled that Sweet Touch won a race in Lahore a few days ago as a three-year-old.

Something terribly wrong must be down the line because Sweet Touch, another champion in the making, ran in Karachi also on Dec 25, and won the Nursery Cup hands down as a two-year-old filly.

The very next year the filly is declared by the Lahore racecourse authorities as a six-year-old.