Caesar shocks favourites to win Islamabad Cup as underdogs rule LRC

Caesar shocks favourites to win Islamabad Cup as underdogs rule LRC

 

Asher Butt

Racing fans were left stunned on Sunday evening as longshot Caesar galloped past big names to lift the coveted Islamabad Cup in a thrilling turn of events at the Lahore Race Club.

On a day filled with surprises, favourites stumbled while lesser-known horses grabbed the spotlight in nearly every race of the 39th Winter Meeting 2024-25.

The featured Islamabad Cup (Race 5) saw Caesar steal the show with a powerful late burst, leaving Redrock to finish second, while pre-race favourite Luna Afzaal, expected to dominate, could only manage third. The unexpected result added drama to an already unpredictable day on the track.

The upsets began right from the start. In Race 1, Chika Riska opened the day with a shock win, followed by Leo Star in second, and fluke pick Noon Princess grabbing third — none of whom were the punters’ favourites.

The trend continued in Race 2, where Naveed-e-Sahar pulled off another surprise victory. Jahanbaz lived up to some expectations by finishing second, but Thunder Man (KRC) surprised the field by sneaking into third place.

Race 3 featured a standout performance by Kit Kat, who delivered a blow to favourite Elizabeth, relegating her to second place. Thunder Boy added his name to the list of shock performers by coming in third.

In Race 4, fluke runner Black Tiger left everyone speechless with a decisive win, while top pick Zuza could only settle for the runner-up position. Sultan Prince, a horse many expected to feature prominently, managed a modest third.

It wasn’t until Race 6, the day’s final event, that the favourites finally had their moment. Rafah, a firm pick among punters, justified the hype with a convincing victory. But even here, surprises followed — fluke contender Luckvir took second, and unknown entrant Azaad stunned everyone by securing third.

Overall, the race day delivered unexpected twists, reminding everyone that in horse racing, anything can happen. Whether you were cheering from the grandstand or following the action online, Sunday’s races offered pure adrenaline, upsets, and some memorable underdog moments — with Caesar’s Cup victory becoming the headline of the day.