Rain, surprises, and underdogs: A wild day at Lahore Race Club

Rain, surprises, and underdogs: A wild day at Lahore Race Club

 

Asher Butt

The skies opened, the favourites slipped, and the unexpected ruled. It was anything but ordinary at the Lahore Race Club on a rain-drenched evening where underdogs galloped into glory and favourites faded in the mud.

In what turned out to be a punter’s nightmare and an outsider’s dream, five of the six races saw stunning upsets. Only one favourite — the confidently backed Absolutely Not — delivered the result many had bet on. For the rest, it was a story of surprises, as long shots and lesser-known contenders stormed their way to podium finishes.

 

Race 1 – Bill Gates gives early shocks

The opener set the tone for the day. Bill Gates, barely on anyone’s radar, surged to a surprising win. The duo of Thunder Prince and Thunder Lady followed in second and third, both equally unexpected finishers that rattled early bet slips.

Race 2 – Classic Mystery lives up to its name

Despite showing form in recent runs, Classic Mystery wasn’t expected to dominate — but that’s exactly what it did. Thunder Man claimed second with another promising run, while Usman's Love fulfilled its “dark horse” potential by grabbing third.

Race 3 – Finally, A favourite wins

Relief for punters came in the third, when Absolutely Not proved to be absolutely right. It raced with purpose and control, staying ahead of Zaman Sahib, who had a decent run, while Agha Prince sneaked into third as a surprise package.

Race 4 – Nisha reigns over Set In Stone

The fourth race brought another twist as Nisha crossed the finish line ahead of Set In Stone, the hot favourite who couldn’t live up to the billing. Samore City, an outsider even by fluke standards, ended third.

Race 5 – Daaku’s clean heist

Picked quietly by a few insiders, Daaku stunned with a dominant performance. Luckvir followed in second, and Yesteryear — expected to place — did just that with a respectable third.

Race 6 – Macs closes the curtain with an upset

The day ended much like it began — with an upset. Macs beat the odds and left favourite Dill Lagi trailing in second. Noon Princess came out of nowhere to take third, ending the card with yet another surprise.

 

Takeaway

If there’s one takeaway from today’s races, it’s this: don’t count out the underdogs — especially not on a rainy day. The unpredictability of racing was on full display, making for a thrilling, if humbling, day at the Lahore Race Club. For some punters, it was a washout — but for a lucky few who bet against the grain, it was a day to remember.