Big upsets mark thrilling day at LRC’s 7th Winter Meeting

 Big upsets mark thrilling day at LRC’s 7th Winter Meeting

Asher Butt

The Lahore Race Club (LRC) witnessed a day of unexpected results as several upsets unfolded in the highly anticipated 7th Winter Meeting held on Sunday, October 13th. The featured events—Welcome Winter Cup, Bon Voyage Cup, and Toru Khan Cup—saw underdogs stealing the spotlight, delivering a thrilling and unpredictable day of horse racing.

The day kicked off with the Montreaux Plate (Class VII, Division VII). Sikandar Saphire, the race favourite, lived up to expectations and secured first place with a strong finish. However, it was Silent Melody who surprised the field by claiming second place, while Merchant of Venus delivered another unexpected performance, finishing third. These upsets in the minor placings added an element of surprise right from the start.

The second race, the Montreaux Plate (Class VII, Division V & VI), saw the first major upset of the day when Vartika emerged victorious, beating the favourite Zaman Sahib, who settled for second place. Super Power, who was expected to take second place, ended up in third, rounding off a race full of surprises.

The upsets continued in the featured Welcome Winter Cup (Class VII, Division II). In a dramatic race, Down To Dusk stunned everyone by taking the cup, leaving the favourite Sehar out of the winning positions. Fujairah, another surprise performer, took second place, while Blue Ash claimed third in a race that saw all the favourites missing from the top spots.

In the fourth race of the day, the Montreaux Plate (Class VII, Division I), more upsets followed as Quality Street emerged victorious, defeating the favourite Babar King, who had to settle for third place. Dominus delivered a strong performance to finish second, marking yet another surprise for punters.

The Bon Voyage Cup, a term race for two-year-olds, kept the theme of upsets alive. Hi Volt pulled off a surprising victory, leaving pre-race favourite expectations in the dust. Brigadier finished second, while Perfect Again came third, both delivering unexpected results that left fans and punters amazed.

The day’s sixth race, the Toru Khan Cup (Class V), saw a stunning win from Sundari, a horse initially considered a long shot, but proving her strength by taking first place. Manat followed in second, while Macs King managed to claim third, both delivering surprise finishes that completed a day full of shocks.

The final race of the day, a Montreaux Plate (Class VII, Division III & IV), provided some balance for punters as Black Tiger, the race favourite, came through with a dominant win. However, the surprises were not over, as Lady Champion finished second, while Luckvir, considered a fluke, grabbed third, closing out the day with an unexpected twist.

LRC Secretary Shahzad Akhtar, reflecting on the day’s racing, remarked, "Today’s races were a testament to the unpredictable nature of this sport. Fans witnessed some extraordinary performances from horses that were not heavily favoured, making this one of the most exciting days of our Winter Meeting."

The 7th Winter Meeting will be remembered for its upsets, with underdog horses taking control in the major races, leaving punters and fans eager to see what surprises future races hold.