LRC 9th meet assessment by weight

 

LRC 9^th meet assessment by weight

By Asher Butt

The 9th Day — Lahore Winter Meeting 2026-2027 of the Lahore Race Club expected top shots as par the weight scaled. Besides, the favourites declared by the pundits of the sport who prefer to stay in their desired categories and don’t enter the class or division required to compete for their thoroughbreds.

Sunday, 1st November 2026 | 8 Races | First Race 12:00 Noon
Races 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 over 1000m | Races 5 (Neelam Cup), 7, 8 over 1100m

 

Race 1 · 12:00 Noon — Class VII Division I — 1000m

Field of 8

#	Horse	Weight
1	Sophia 6	9-0
2	Tiger 4	8-13
3	Silent Melody 9	8-10
4	Thuees Prhib 7	8-0
5	Hassan King 3	8-0
6	Raees Sahib 3	8-7
7	Chahal King 8	8-5
8	Shera Choice 3	8-2
9	Abdullah Pasrur 5	7-10

Book Fav: Silent Melody | Book Place: Shera Choice | Book Fluke: Abdullah Pasrur

My Fav: Sophia | My Place: Tiger | My Fluke: Silent Melody

My reasoning: Sophia (9-0) carries the outright top weight — 1 pound ahead of Tiger and 4 clear of the book's favourite Silent Melody (8-10). The book makes Silent Melody the favourite at third weight while ignoring both Sophia and Tiger above it. In Division I over 1000m, the weight hierarchy is the clearest structural signal and Sophia at 9-0 carries the handicapper's unambiguous confidence statement. My favourite is Sophia. Tiger (8-13) at second highest weight is my natural place — sitting just 1 pound below the top and well above the rest of the field. Silent Melody (8-10) drops to my fluke — the book's enthusiasm for it is form-based and it remains a legitimate frame candidate. Shera Choice (8-2) as the book's place — 12 pounds below the top weight over 1000m in Division I — is analytically difficult to support as the second selection.

 

Race 2 · 12:35 PM — Class VII Division VI — 1000m

Field of 10 (- 4 supplementaries)

#	Horse	Weight
1	Mirza Prince 2	9-2
2	Saeed Dil 6	8-10
3	JK One 5	8-10
4	Jutt Gee 8	8-10
5	The River Run 10	8-7
6	Biscuit 4	8-6
7	Sikander Choice 3	8-2
8	Pascuit 4	8-4
9	Construari Star 3	8-8
10	Sosig Go 11	7-8
11	American Star 9	7-8

Book Fav: Mirza Prince | Book Place: Sosig Go | Book Fluke: Sher Dil (not in field)

My Fav: Mirza Prince | My Place: Saeed Dil | My Fluke: JK One

My reasoning: Full agreement on the favourite — Mirza Prince (9-2) carries the outright top weight in this ten-horse Division VI field over 1000m, 6 pounds ahead of Saeed Dil, JK One and Jutt Gee, and a remarkable 20 pounds ahead of the book's place selection Sosig Go (7-8). Mirza Prince has been the most persistently dominant weight allocation at this meeting — it ran second twice and carries 9-2 now, the highest weight on this race. My favourite is Mirza Prince — it is overdue a win and the weight logic is overwhelmingly in its favour. The divergence is in place: the book selects Sosig Go (7-8) at the absolute bottom of the weight range while I prefer Saeed Dil (8-10) at joint second weight. JK One (8-10) shares the same second weight and is my fluke — three horses sit at 8-10, and any of the three could frame, but Saeed Dil and JK One carry the structural advantage over the bottom-weight selections. Note: the book's fluke "Sher Dil" does not appear in the declared field and appears to be a non-runner.

 

Race 3 · 1:10 PM — Class VII Division VI — 1000m

Field of 10 (+ 4 supplementaries)

#	Horse	Weight
1	Thunder Pride 4	9-0
2	Ghazal 3	8-10
3	Dani Princess 10	8-10
4	Naveed-e-Sahar 5	8-4
5	Zaman Sahib 2	8-4
6	Bella Nova 8	8-2
7	Coach House Grey 6	8-0
8	True Promise 9	7-12
9	Mid Night Grace 7	7-10
10	Princess Noor 7	8-0

Book Fav: Naveed-e-Sahar | Book Place: Zaman Sahib | Book Fluke: Thunder Pride

My Fav: Thunder Pride | My Place: Ghazal | My Fluke: Dani Princess

My reasoning: The book and I diverge completely. Thunder Pride (9-0) carries the outright top weight — 4 pounds ahead of Ghazal and Dani Princess, 10 ahead of Bella Nova, and a full 14 pounds clear of the book's favourite Naveed-e-Sahar (8-4). Thunder Pride won Race 2 on Day 6 and Day 7 of the Winter Meeting — it is the most in-form horse in Division VI at this meeting and the handicapper has now elevated it to 9-0, the strongest possible endorsement. My favourite is Thunder Pride with complete conviction. Ghazal (8-10) at joint second weight is my place — a consistent performer throughout the meeting. Dani Princess (8-10) is my fluke — sharing the joint second weight position with Ghazal and a credible frame candidate. The book's choice of Naveed-e-Sahar (8-4) as favourite while Thunder Pride carries 9-0 is analytically impossible to reconcile with weight logic over 1000m in Division VI.

 

Race 4 · 1:45 PM — Class VI (+ 2-Year-Old Term Race T.R.P & H.B Maiden) — 1100m

Field of 7 (+ 4 supplementaries)

#	Horse	Weight
1	Perfect Again 3	9-0
2	Ceasar 4	8-12
3	Green Card 5	8-11
4	Queen of Pharaoh 6	8-8
5	Pakiza 8	8-0
6	Construct Craft 2	8-0
7	Princess Noor 7	8-8

Book Fav: Green Card | Book Place: Construct Craft | Book Fluke: Perfect Again

My Fav: Perfect Again | My Place: Ceasar | My Fluke: Green Card

My reasoning: Perfect Again (9-0) carries the outright top weight in this Class VI field over 1100m — 2 pounds ahead of Ceasar, 3 ahead of Green Card and a full 14 pounds ahead of Pakiza and Construct Craft. The book makes Green Card (8-11) the favourite while designating Perfect Again the fluke despite a 3-pound weight disadvantage over 1100m in Class VI. This is the meeting's recurring pattern applied to the senior class race. My favourite is Perfect Again. Ceasar (8-12) at second highest weight is my place — it ran second in the National Heritage Cup on Day 8 and carries upper-weight credentials. Green Card (8-11) drops to my fluke — the book's confidence is form-based and Green Card has won at this meeting previously, but conceding 3 pounds to the top weight over 1100m in the senior class is a structural disadvantage. Construct Craft (8-0) as the book's place — 14 pounds below Perfect Again over 1100m in Class VI — underestimates the extended distance effect.

 

Race 5 · 2:20 PM — The Neelam Cup — 2-Year-Old Term Race (Maiden) — 1100m

Field of 11

#	Horse	Weight
1	Bin Sardar 12	8-8
2	Good Day 9	8-8
3	Hamza Pride 7	8-8
4	House of Common 10	8-8
5	Red 2	8-8
6	Son of Gujrat 5	8-8
7	Soroush 3	8-8
8	Bella Forever 5	8-5
9	Fiorentine 11	8-5
10	Pakistan Queen 8	8-5
11	She Is Back 4	8-5

Book Fav: Hamza Pride | Book Place: Bella Forever | Book Fluke: Red

My Fav: Hamza Pride / Red (joint 8-8) | My Place: Bella Forever | My Fluke: Good Day

My reasoning: The Neelam Cup is the featured race — a maiden for two-year-old yearlings over 1100m. Seven horses share the joint top weight of 8-8 and four carry 8-5, making this almost entirely a level-weights contest within each group. With no genuine weight differentiation at the top, breeding, stable connections and pace are the primary selection tools. Among the seven joint 8-8 horses, Hamza Pride — the book's favourite — is my co-selection based on its running in the Bon Voyage Cup on Day 7 where it finished second, establishing form evidence. Red (8-8) is my co-favourite as the book's fluke — it has experience from the same Day 7 race. Bella Forever (8-5) is my place — the book agrees, and it ran second in the Bon Voyage Cup as well, giving it the clearest form evidence in the 8-5 group. Good Day (8-8) is my fluke — an unproven entity carrying top weight with stable interest worth watching. This race should be approached with humility — with seven horses at joint top weight, the result is genuinely open.

 

Race 6 · 2:55 PM — Class VII Division I & II — 1000m

Field of 10

#	Horse	Weight
1	Syamod Queen 11	9-0
2	Moni Prince 7	8-10
3	Bunty Bella 8	8-8
4	Haseeb Gladiator 9	8-6
5	Jalsa 4	8-4
6	Imperius 3	8-4
7	Killem's Boy 10	8-3
8	Eden Queen 5	8-0
9	Chaman 8	7-13
10	Pakistani Champion 2	7-12

Book Fav: Moni Prince | Book Place: Jalsa | Book Fluke: Eden Queen

My Fav: Syamod Queen | My Place: Moni Prince | My Fluke: Bunty Bella

My reasoning: Syamod Queen (9-0) carries the outright top weight in this ten-horse Division I & II field over 1000m — 4 pounds ahead of Moni Prince and 6 ahead of Bunty Bella. The book makes Moni Prince (8-10) the favourite while ignoring 9-0 Syamod Queen — a new name at the highest weight allocation in the senior division. The handicapper's 9-0 assignment in Division I & II is its strongest possible confidence statement. My favourite is Syamod Queen. Moni Prince (8-10) at second weight is my place — the book's confidence in it is entirely understandable and it has been competitive throughout the meeting cycle. Bunty Bella (8-8) is my fluke — formerly Luna Afzaal, it has competed in Division I & II consistently and at joint second weight alongside Moni Prince it carries upper-division credentials. Jalsa (8-4) as the book's place and Eden Queen (8-0) as the book's fluke both concede significant weight to the top three over 1000m in the senior division.

 

Race 7 · 3:30 PM — Class VII Division I & II — 1100m

Field of 11 (+ 2 supplementaries)

#	Horse	Weight
1	Samara 6	9-0
2	Classic Mystery 11	8-12
3	Safe Bet 12	8-8
4	Luckvir 3	8-8
5	Peele Wains 7	8-6
6	Ustrana Love 9	8-6
7	Counter Strike 2	8-6
8	Alaska 8	8-4
9	Be A Man 4	8-4
10	Haseeb Thunder 10	7-12
11	Mister Sardar 5	7-10

Book Fav: Counter Strike | Book Place: Alaska | Book Fluke: Samara

My Fav: Samara | My Place: Classic Mystery | My Fluke: Safe Bet

My reasoning: Samara (9-0) carries the outright top weight in an eleven-horse Division I & II field over 1100m — 2 pounds ahead of Classic Mystery, 6 ahead of Safe Bet and Luckvir, and a full 15 pounds ahead of Haseeb Thunder. The book makes Counter Strike (8-6) the favourite at the fifth weight tier while designating Samara the fluke — conceding 8 pounds to the top weight over 1100m in the senior division. My favourite is Samara. Classic Mystery (8-12) at second highest weight is my place — it has been one of the most consistent performers of the meeting cycle, winning multiple cup races as a fluke or lower-weight selection. At 8-12 in Division I & II over 1100m it carries genuine class and is an excellent natural place selection. Safe Bet (8-8) is my fluke — it has won multiple times this meeting at upper weights and carries proven championship form at Division III & IV level, now appearing in a slightly higher division. Counter Strike (8-6) as the book's favourite — conceding 8 pounds to the top weight over 1100m in Division I & II — is a form call I cannot analytically support at this extended distance.

 

Race 8 · 4:05 PM — Class VII Division I & V — 1100m

Field of 8

#	Horse	Weight
1	Kalab's Queen 7	9-0
2	Paddington 6	8-6
3	Singhar 2	8-4
4	Fakhar-e-Panjgran 4	8-4
5	Coach House Pari 5	8-2
6	Desert Parri 9	8-0
7	Dogar Choice 3	7-8
8	Piyari 8	7-8

Book Fav: Fakhar-e-Panjgran | Book Place: Coach House Pari | Book Fluke: Kalab's Queen

My Fav: Kalab's Queen | My Place: Paddington | My Fluke: Singhar

My reasoning: Kalab's Queen (9-0) carries the outright top weight — 8 pounds ahead of Paddington, 10 ahead of Singhar and Fakhar-e-Panjgran, and a remarkable 20 pounds ahead of Dogar Choice and Piyari at 7-8. The book makes Fakhar-e-Panjgran (8-4) the favourite while designating Kalab's Queen the fluke — conceding 10 pounds to the top weight over 1100m. At 1100m in Division I & V, Kalab's Queen's 9-0 allocation carries the meeting's strongest weight statement for this race and my favourite is clear. Paddington (8-6) at second highest weight is my place — it has been a consistent performer throughout the season at upper weights across Division III-V and carries proven form credentials. Singhar (8-4) is my fluke — sharing joint third weight with Fakhar-e-Panjgran but with a track record that includes an upset win in Race 5 on Day 3 of the Winter Meeting. Coach House Pari (8-2) as the book's place and Kalab's Queen as the book's fluke is one of the most dramatic weight-dismissal calls on the entire card.

Humiliated before the final

 

Pakistan’s batting frailties exposed yet again

 

By Asher Butt

Just 48 hours after celebrating one of the most dramatic victories in their ODI history, Pakistan received a brutal reality check at the Gaddafi Stadium as Sri Lanka crushed them by eight wickets, exposing the batting deficiencies that have been masked by individual heroics throughout the tri-series.

This was not merely a defeat. It was a warning.

Pakistan, who had already secured qualification for the final after winning their first three matches, were bundled out for an embarrassing 110 in just 25.3 overs before Sri Lanka raced to 114-2 in only 18.1 overs, finishing the chase with a staggering 191 balls to spare. The margin of defeat underlined the gulf between the two teams on the day and raised serious concerns about Pakistan's top-order reliability heading into the title clash.

The danger signs had been present even during Pakistan's remarkable one-wicket victory over England. On that occasion, Shadab Khan's maiden ODI century and his record last-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf covered up another fragile batting display. Against Sri Lanka, there would be no miracle rescue.

Instead, Pakistan produced what can only be described as a collective batting surrender.

At the toss, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi spoke confidently about a surface where 300 would be a competitive total. Less than three hours later, his side had failed to reach even half that score.

The collapse began early and never stopped.

Fakhar Zaman's worrying lack of form continued when he edged Dilshan Madushanka to Pavan Rathnayake for five. Maaz Sadaqat, handed an opportunity to strengthen Pakistan's opening combination, managed only eight before being trapped leg-before by Asitha Fernando.

At 23-2, Pakistan still had the experience of Babar Azam available, but the former captain once again failed to transform a start into a substantial innings. Babar struck five elegant boundaries during his 29, occasionally reminding spectators of his immense class, but another dismissal before reaching fifty will inevitably increase scrutiny.

The statistical reality is becoming impossible to ignore. Pakistan's premier batter continues to get starts but has failed to produce the dominant innings his team desperately needs from its senior-most specialist batsman.

When Saad Baig departed for five and Salman Agha followed for nine, Pakistan's innings entered freefall.

The most alarming phase arrived between the 13th and 15th overs.

Babar was trapped lbw after an unsuccessful review. Shadab Khan, fresh from his match-winning century against England, lasted only five deliveries before edging Sahan Arachchige behind.

The contrast with Sunday's heroics could not have been more striking.

Shadab had single-handedly rescued Pakistan against England. Here he was unable to make any impact. Equally concerning was the lack of resistance around him. Hasan Nawaz consumed 31 deliveries for a laboured 17, while Arafat Minhas contributed just 10. Pakistan appeared uncertain whether to rebuild or counterattack and consequently did neither.

The fall of wickets tells the entire story: 11, 23, 46, 61, 61, 64, 91, 91, 92.

It resembled an old Pakistan collapse rather than the confident and improving side that had won three consecutive matches in the tournament.

Only Shaheen Afridi showed any urgency towards the end, striking two sixes in his unbeaten 15. Without those blows, Pakistan might have struggled even to cross 100.

Credit, however, must go to Sri Lanka's outstanding bowling effort.

Dilshan Madushanka delivered one of the finest spells of the tournament, claiming a deserved five-wicket haul. His figures of 5-34 reflected relentless discipline, intelligent use of the short ball and an understanding of exactly how to exploit Pakistan's uncertain batting approach.

He was brilliantly supported by Eshan Malinga, who conceded just eight runs in four overs, while Arachchige's off-spin generated two important breakthroughs. Dunith Wellalage and Asitha Fernando also played their parts in a complete bowling performance.

What made the collapse even more alarming was the nature of the surface. There was movement for the seamers early on, but it was far from unplayable. Pakistan's dismissals stemmed largely from technical errors, poor shot selection and indecision rather than any demons in the pitch.

Sri Lanka's chase provided the strongest evidence.

If Pakistan's innings suggested a difficult batting surface, Kamindu Mendis quickly disproved the theory.

Kamindu capitalised magnificently. The elegant left-hander reached his fifth ODI half-century from only 42 deliveries and dominated Pakistan's attack with confidence.

Avishka Fernando contributed 16 before falling to Shaheen, while Kusal Mendis struck a quick eight. However, Pakistan were never able to build sustained pressure because the target was simply too small.

Kamindu and Rathnayake then calmly completed the chase through an unbroken partnership worth 52 runs from just 56 deliveries.

The ease of Sri Lanka's victory should worry Pakistan far more than the defeat itself. One off day can happen in international cricket. Repeated batting collapses cannot be ignored.

Throughout the series Pakistan have relied heavily on individual brilliance. Salman Agha's century rescued them against Sri Lanka in the opening match. Arafat Minhas inspired victory over England. Shadab Khan performed miracles against England again. Yet the top order has consistently failed to establish dominance.

With the final approaching, Pakistan must confront uncomfortable questions about their batting approach, team balance and inability to construct meaningful partnerships.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, leave Lahore with renewed confidence. After chasing 430 against England and then dismissing Pakistan for 110, they have demonstrated both batting firepower and bowling discipline. More importantly, they have exposed vulnerabilities that Pakistan's final opponents will undoubtedly study carefully.

For Pakistan, this was supposed to be a momentum-building exercise before the final.

Instead, it became a sobering reminder that title aspirations cannot be built on miracles alone. The Shadab-inspired escape against England was extraordinary, but this crushing defeat highlighted a far more important truth: unless Pakistan's top order quickly finds form, another collapse could cost them the trophy.

The great escape: How Shadab exposed rot beneath Pakistan's miracle win

 

A one-wicket victory over England will be remembered for Shadab's magnificent maiden century—but it should be remembered as an indictment of a batting order that collapsed to 154 for 9 and needed a miracle to beat a modest total

 

 

By Asher Butt

There is a particular danger in celebrating miracles. They obscure the failures that made them necessary.

On Sunday evening at the Gaddafi Stadium, Shadab Khan produced one of the greatest innings in the history of Pakistani one-day cricket. His unbeaten 113 from 96 balls, batting at number eight, dragged Pakistan from the abyss of 154 for 9 to a one-wicket victory over England with 17 balls to spare.  The last-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf—89 runs from 80 balls—will be replayed for years. The moment Shadab survived an lbw review via UltraEdge, when the ball had struck his ankle and he had already begun walking off, will become folklore.

But strip away the romance, and a far less flattering picture emerges. Pakistan were chasing 242. They were bowled out—almost—by an England attack that had been battered for 429 by Sri Lanka just days earlier. Their top order produced 58 runs between them. Their middle order capitulated with barely a whimper. And they needed a number eight to play the innings of his life to beat a side that had lost its first two matches of the tournament.

This was not a great victory. It was a great escape. And the difference matters.

 

The collapse that should haunt Pakistan

Shaheen Shah Afridi's decision to bowl first was vindicated by an excellent opening spell. England were reduced to 19 for 3 inside five overs, with Tom Banton and Joe Root falling to Shaheen and Harry Brook run out by a sharp piece of fielding from debutant Razaullah.  At 56 for 4 after the powerplay, England were staring at a total well below 200.

Ben Duckett's 105 from 111 balls, supported by Sam Curran's 42, rescued the visitors. Their 93-run stand for the fifth wicket gave England something to defend. But 241 was never going to be enough on a surface that offered no demons. Pakistan's bowlers had done their job. The batsmen simply had to do theirs.

Instead, they produced an innings of staggering fragility. Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and Babar Azam—the three men expected to anchor the chase—managed 26 runs between them. Saad Baig's 32 from 22 balls was the only top-order contribution of note. By the time Salman Agha fell for 26, Pakistan were 122 for 7. When Razaullah was bowled by Will Jacks, they were 154 for 9.

This was not a collapse against a rampant bowling attack. England's bowlers were disciplined but hardly unplayable. Jamie Overton finished with 3 for 43, Liam Dawson 2 for 30. These are respectable figures, not devastating ones. Pakistan's batsmen gifted their wickets away—poor shot selection, indecision, an inability to rotate strike under pressure. The problems that have plagued this batting order for years were laid bare once again.

 

Shadab's innings: Brilliance and indictment

What Shadab did was extraordinary. His 113 not out was the highest score by a Pakistan batsman batting at number eight or below in ODI history.  He marshalled the strike with the composure of a man who had batted his entire life in the top order, farming the bowling expertly to protect Haris Rauf, who faced just 19 balls for his unbeaten 7.  He struck 13 fours and 5 sixes, playing with a freedom that his teammates had conspicuously lacked.

But here is the uncomfortable truth: Shadab should never have been in that position. A player of his quality—a genuine all-rounder with the temperament for a fight—has spent much of his career being shuffled up and down the order, never quite trusted with a defined role. On Sunday, he showed what he is capable of when given responsibility. The question that must now be asked is why it took a crisis of this magnitude for him to be given that chance.

The same applies to the team as a whole. This was a victory achieved through individual brilliance, not systemic strength. Pakistan won because Shadab played an innings he may never play again. That is not a sustainable model for success.

 

The selection questions

Shaheen's decision to bowl first was correct. His own bowling—4 for 46—was excellent. The inclusion of Razaullah, who took 2 for 38 on debut, was rewarded. Arafat Minhas, with 2 for 26, continued to impress.

But the batting order remains a puzzle that nobody seems able to solve. Babar Azam, the team's premier batsman, batted at number three and made 10. He was bowled by Gus Atkinson, playing a shot that suggested a man short of form and confidence. Fakhar Zaman, recalled to the side, made 10 from 18 balls. Saim Ayub, promoted to open, made 6.

The insistence on persisting with combinations that have repeatedly failed is not a strategy. It is a habit. Pakistan's selectors and team management must confront the reality that the current top order is not functioning. Whether that means promoting Shadab, giving opportunities to younger batsmen, or rethinking the entire approach, something must change.

 

England's familiar failings

It would be remiss not to note that England contributed to their own downfall. Having fought back through Duckett and Curran, they allowed Pakistan's lower order to dictate terms in the final overs. Overton and Atkinson, both capable bowlers, were unable to land the knockout blow when Pakistan were nine down. The dropped chances, the missed run-outs, the inability to close out a match from a position of dominance—these are the hallmarks of a side low on confidence and short on ruthlessness.

England have now lost three matches in this tri-series. Their final hopes hang by a thread. For a team that arrived in Pakistan with ambitions of building momentum ahead of next year's World Cup, this tour has been a chastening experience.

 

What this win means—and what it doesn't

Pakistan will take the two points. They will celebrate a victory that will be remembered for generations. Shadab Khan will be hailed as a hero, and rightly so. His innings was a masterpiece of nerve and skill.

But the celebrations should not obscure the lessons. A team that needs a miracle to beat England's second-string attack is not a team ready to challenge the world's best. A batting order that collapses to 154 for 9 against disciplined but unspectacular bowling is not a batting order that can be trusted in a World Cup.

Pakistan won this match because one player refused to accept defeat. That is admirable. But cricket is a team sport, and teams cannot rely on miracles. If Pakistan are to build on this victory, they must address the frailties that made it necessary.

Shadab Khan saved Pakistan on Sunday. He should not have to do it again.