LAHORE: In a thrilling day of unexpected finishes, Caesar, a relatively unknown contender, delivered a stunning upset to claim victory in the Islamabad Cup, the featured race of the six-event card of the 39th Day Winter Meeting 2024-25 at the Lahore Race Club Sunday evening.
The highly anticipated Islamabad Cup witnessed seasoned favourites faltering under pressure as Caesar galloped past top-rated contenders, including the favourite Luna Afzaal, to clinch the title. While Redrock met expectations by securing the second position, Luna Afzaal had to settle for third place, completing an unanticipated top-three lineup that left the pundits in awe.
Aside from Rafah’s emphatic victory in the final race, the day was largely defined by surprising results, with upsets occurring in nearly every race. The afternoon kicked off with Chika Riska stealing the spotlight in the opening Samasatta Plate (Class-VII Division-VI & VII). Entering as a place contender, Chika Riska surged ahead of Leo Star, another surprise performer, while the fluke entry Noon Princess claimed third place. Pre-race favourites struggled to find form, setting the tone for the rest of the card.
The trend continued in the second race (Class-VII Division-V), where Naveed-e-Sahar defied odds to register an upset victory. Jahanbaz, a widely expected place contender, lived up to expectations by finishing second, while Thunder Man (KRC) surprised the field by grabbing third.
In the third race (Class-VII Division-III & II), it was Kit Kat who emerged as the unexpected winner, outpacing the favourite Elizabeth, who could only manage a second-place finish. The third spot was taken by Thunder Boy, another underdog who stunned more seasoned runners.
The fourth race (Class-VII Division-I) added further drama to the day, as Black Tiger, a fluke entry, galloped to a remarkable win against the odds. Top pick Zuza, who was heavily backed to win, was forced to settle for second, while Sultan Prince, who was expected to fight for a place, rounded off the top three.
The final race of the day, Class-VII Division-IV & V, brought a aspect of normalcy as Rafah, the firm favourite, justified the punters’ prediction by cruising to victory. Luckvir, considered a fluke entrant, surprised many by taking second, and Azaad, a relatively unknown participant, completed the top three, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the evening’s events.
