Lahore Race Club - Complete predictions & analysis

 

Lahore Race Club - 17th Day Complete Predictions & Analysis

Sunday, 28th December 2025 - Post-Christmas Racing Spectacular

 

Asher Butt

The 17th day of the Lahore Winter Meeting features seven competitive races including the prestigious Christmas Cup for two-year-olds—a key indicator race for the juvenile division. After the chaos of Day 16 where zero favorites won, punters will approach this card with both caution and determination to reclaim losses.

 

RACE 1 - Class VII Division VI & VII (Maiden) - 1100m - 12:30 PM

Complete Field (11 horses):

1. Royal Stone (9-2), 2. Singhar (9-0), 3. Altaf Star (9-0), 4. Hera Choice (8-11), 5. My Handsome (8-8), 6. Piyari (8-7), 7. Augustus (8-4), 8. Azan Prince (8-2), 9. Sea of Class (8-0), 10. Babbar Sher (7-12), 11. Malik Choice (7-10)

BOOK PREDICTIONS:

• Favourite: Royal Stone (9-2)
• Place: Piyari (8-7)
• Fluke: Sea of Class (8-0)

MY PREDICTIONS:

• FAVOURITE: Singhar (9-0) - Post 2
• PLACE: Royal Stone (9-2) - Post 1
• FLUKE: My Handsome (8-8) - Post 5

My Analysis: I'm disagreeing with your favorite selection. While Royal Stone carries the highest weight (9-2) and has the rail draw, Singhar at 9-0 from post 2 represents better value. Royal Stone's 9-2 assignment is exceptionally heavy for a maiden—the handicapper clearly believes he's superior, but that 2-pound extra burden in an 11-horse sprint could prove decisive. Singhar shares near-top weight with Altaf Star (both 9-0) but post 2 allows tracking Royal Stone without being trapped.

Royal Stone becomes MY place selection—the 9-2 weight with rail position suggests genuine class, and he should be thereabouts even if the weight costs him victory. In maiden racing, 2 pounds can be the difference between winning and placing.

My Handsome at 8-8 from post 5 is MY fluke pick—he's appeared multiple times in recent meetings, suggesting consistent form. The 8-8 weight places him in the competitive middle tier, and post 5 in an 11-horse field provides clean racing room. If the topweights (9-0 to 9-2 brigade) engage in early speed battle, My Handsome can capitalize.

Your Selections Analysis:

Piyari (Place): At 8-7 from post 6, Piyari concedes 9 pounds to Royal Stone but sits in decent tactical position. However, in maiden sprints, I'd favor horses closer to top weight (My Handsome at 8-8) over those 9+ pounds behind.

Sea of Class (Fluke): Interesting pick at 8-0 from post 9—the name suggests quality breeding ("Sea of Class" implies pedigree). The wide draw and 16-pound weight concession to Royal Stone makes this a genuine longshot. If he justifies the name and swoops from back of pack, it's definitely fluke territory.

Key Difference: You're backing the extreme topweight as favorite. I'm concerned the 9-2 is too much in competitive maiden company, favoring the 9-0 horse with better positioning instead.

 

RACE 2 - Class VII Division VI & VII - 1100m - 1:05 PM

Complete Field (14 horses):

1. Anni Power (9-0), 2. Largess (9-0), 3. Zindagi (9-0), 4. Red Chilly (8-10), 5. Pride of Chandrai (8-6), 6. Mafnood JR (8-5), 7. Mr. Brown (8-2), 8. Thunder Cloud (8-0), 9. Silent Melody (8-0), 10. Gifts of Gold (8-0), 11. Drago (8-0), 12. Thunder Man (8-0), 13. Thunder Prince (8-0), 14. I Shall Lead (7-13)

BOOK PREDICTIONS:

• Favourite: Pride of Chandrai (8-6)
• Place: Zindagi (9-0)
• Fluke: Red Chilly (8-10)

MY PREDICTIONS:

• FAVOURITE: Anni Power (9-0) - Post 1
• PLACE: Largess (9-0) - Post 2
• FLUKE: Pride of Chandrai (8-6) - Post 5

My Analysis: Massive disagreement here! You've made Pride of Chandrai (8-6 from post 5) your favorite despite THREE horses carrying 9-0. Anni Power at 9-0 from the crucial rail draw in a 14-horse sprint is the logical favorite—rail position in large fields is gold, and top weight indicates clear class superiority.

Largess at 9-0 from post 2 gets my place vote—sharing top weight with Anni Power and Zindagi, but post 2 allows tracking the leader without being trapped. In 14-horse sprints, posts 1-3 have significant advantages avoiding mid-pack traffic chaos.

Pride of Chandrai becomes MY fluke—at 8-6 from post 5, he's conceding 8 pounds to the topweights but positioned reasonably well. If you're backing him as favorite, the market clearly sees something special (recent form, strong trials). For me, that makes him the perfect fluke candidate—if he defeats three 9-0 horses while giving away weight, that's a genuine upset.

Your Selections Analysis:

Zindagi (Place): Solid selection at 9-0 from post 3. My only concern is the three-way tie at 9-0 (posts 1, 2, 3) could create early speed battle where all three compromise each other, allowing lighter-weighted horses like Pride of Chandrai to swoop.

Red Chilly (Fluke): At 8-10 from post 4, Red Chilly sits between the 9-0 trio and your favorite Pride of Chandrai. This is actually smart positioning—not quite top weight but substantial enough to indicate quality. However, post 4 in 14-horse field can be tricky (mid-pack squeeze).

Key Difference: You're fading the 9-0 topweights entirely, backing a lighter-weighted horse as favorite. I'm trusting weight assignments and rail advantage. Given Day 16's chaos where all favorites failed, your contrarian approach might be wise!

 

RACE 3 - Class VII Division V & VI - 1100m - 1:40 PM

Complete Field (7 horses):

1. Haseeb Barbarian (9-0), 2. Pakiza (8-10), 3. Zaman Sahib (8-10), 4. Sky Warrior (8-5), 5. Naveed-e-Sahar (8-0), 6. Lucky Macs (8-0), 7. Ajwa Queen (7-12)

BOOK PREDICTIONS:

• Favourite: Haseeb Barbarian (9-0)
• Place: Zaman Sahib (8-10)
• Fluke: Pakiza (8-10)

MY PREDICTIONS:

• FAVOURITE: Haseeb Barbarian (9-0) - Post 1
• PLACE: Pakiza (8-10) - Post 2
• FLUKE: Naveed-e-Sahar (8-0) - Post 5

My Analysis: Agreement on the favorite! Haseeb Barbarian at 9-0 from post 1 in a 7-horse sprint is the clear selection. The "Haseeb" stable has been prominent throughout this meeting, and the combination of top weight with rail draw makes this banker material.

Pakiza at 8-10 from post 2 gets my place vote—conceding only 4 pounds to Haseeb Barbarian while positioned perfectly to track the leader. Pakiza WON the opening race on Day 16 (Race 1) as an upset, so there's proven current form. Post 2 in small fields is ideal stalking position.

Naveed-e-Sahar is MY fluke at 8-0 from post 5—he won Race 2 on Day 16 at 7-10 as a massive longshot, so he's in red-hot form. The 8-0 weight gives him a 14-pound advantage over Haseeb Barbarian, and post 5 in a 7-horse race allows sitting mid-pack and delivering late run.

Your Selections Analysis:

Zaman Sahib (Place): Solid at 8-10 from post 3, equal weight with Pakiza. The choice between them comes down to post position (2 vs 3) and recent form. Pakiza's recent victory edges it for me.

Pakiza (Fluke): You've labeled him fluke despite carrying 8-10 (substantial weight) and coming off a victory last week. I'd call Pakiza a legitimate place contender rather than fluke—his recent win proves he's competitive at this level.

Key Difference: Minor disagreement on place/fluke distinction. Your fluke (Pakiza) is my place pick, while my fluke (Naveed-e-Sahar) has even stronger recent form (also won last week).

 

RACE 4 - Class VII Division III & IV - 1100m - 2:15 PM

Complete Field (10 horses):

1. Desert Crown (9-0), 2. Be A Man (8-12), 3. Vartika (8-12), 4. Desert Parri (8-10), 5. Paddington (8-4), 6. Thunder Boy (8-4), 7. Haseeb Thunder (8-2), 8. National Colour (7-10), 9. Shareeka (7-10), 10. Mr Asia (7-8)

BOOK PREDICTIONS:

• Favourite: Be A Man (8-12)
• Place: Desert Parri (8-10)
• Fluke: Haseeb Thunder (8-2)

MY PREDICTIONS:

• FAVOURITE: Desert Crown (9-0) - Post 1
• PLACE: Be A Man (8-12) - Post 2
• FLUKE: Haseeb Thunder (8-2) - Post 7

My Analysis: Another disagreement on favorite! Desert Crown at 9-0 from post 1 is the clear selection—top weight with rail advantage. You're favoring Be A Man at 8-12 (post 2), conceding 2 pounds but perhaps seeing better recent form or jockey booking.

Be A Man becomes MY place pick—at 8-12 sharing weight with Vartika, but post 2 allows tracking Desert Crown throughout. If Desert Crown doesn't handle the 9-0 burden, Be A Man is perfectly positioned to capitalize.

Haseeb Thunder at 8-2 from post 7 gets agreement as FLUKE—the "Haseeb" stable connection suggests quality, and the 8-2 weight gives him a 12-pound advantage over Desert Crown. Post 7 in a 10-horse field sits nicely mid-pack, avoiding both rail congestion and extreme wide trips.

Your Selections Analysis:

Be A Man (Favourite): You're backing him over the topweight, suggesting market confidence or insider knowledge. Given Day 16's chaos where lighter-weighted horses prevailed, this could be smart.

Desert Parri (Place): At 8-10 from post 4, Desert Parri sits in reasonable position but concedes only 2 pounds to Be A Man and 4 to Desert Crown. Solid middle-weight selection with decent draw.

Haseeb Thunder (Fluke): Complete agreement! The stable form plus weight advantage makes this a logical longshot pick.

Key Difference: You're fading the topweight again (pattern emerging!). I'm trusting the 9-0 assignment indicates class superiority worthy of favorite status.

 

RACE 5 - CHRISTMAS CUP (2YO) ⭐⭐ - 1200m - 2:50 PM

Complete Field (6 horses):

1. Adaab (8-8), 2. Brutas (8-8), 3. Farrier Star (8-8), 4. Royal Gift (8-8), 5. King Lady (8-5), 6. Samara (8-5)

BOOK PREDICTIONS:

• Favourite: Samara (8-5)
• Place: Adaab (8-8)
• Fluke: Brutas (8-8)

MY PREDICTIONS:

• FAVOURITE: Adaab (8-8) - Post 1
• PLACE: Brutas (8-8) - Post 2
• FLUKE: Samara (8-5) - Post 6

My Analysis: Complete role reversal! You're favoring Samara (8-5, widest draw) as favorite, while I'm backing Adaab (8-8, rail). This prestigious two-year-old contest features FOUR horses at 8-8 and two at 8-5, making it essentially an equal-weight scenario where positioning dominates.

Adaab from post 1 gets my favorite vote—equal weight with three others but rail position in a 6-horse race over 1200m allows pace control. Two-year-old races reward horses who can establish position early without burning energy.

Brutas at 8-8 from post 2 becomes my place pick—can track Adaab closely, and if the favorite races greenly (common in juvenile races), Brutas inherits perfect stalking position. Both carrying 8-8 means racing maturity separates them.

Samara is MY fluke from post 6 (widest draw)—the 3-pound weight advantage (8-5 vs 8-8) is offset by having to circle the entire field. If Samara justifies your confidence and wins from the car park, that's definitely fluke/upset territory!

Your Selections Analysis:

Samara (Favourite): Bold call making the widest-drawn, lighter-weighted horse your favorite. Perhaps recent trials or breeding (Samara competed in Race 4 on Day 16) gives you confidence. For me, the wide draw is too much to overcome.

Adaab (Place): Adaab was favorite in the Nonehal Cup (Race 4, Day 14) carrying 8-8, so there's proven quality. Making him your place horse while favoring Samara suggests you see Adaab as steady but lacking that extra spark.

Brutas (Fluke): Brutas finished 3rd in Race 7 on Day 16, showing competitive form. Calling him fluke despite 8-8 and post 2 seems overly pessimistic—I'd rate him a genuine place chance.

Key Difference: You're backing the outside horse with weight advantage. I'm trusting rail position and equal weight. In two-year-old races, tactical positioning often trumps minor weight differences.

Christmas Cup Significance: This race identifies the top juveniles heading into the new year. The winner gains significant prestige and breeding value.

 

RACE 6 - Class VII Division I & II - 1000m - 3:25 PM

Complete Field (7 horses):

1. King Azan (9-0), 2. Luna Afzaal (8-10), 3. Cinderella's Dream (8-6), 4. Kit Kat (8-4), 5. Dubawi's Angel (8-2), 6. Flight Line (8-2), 7. Little Master (7-8)

BOOK PREDICTIONS:

• Favourite: King Azan (9-0)
• Place: Flight Line (8-2)
• Fluke: Kit Kat (8-4)

MY PREDICTIONS:

• FAVOURITE: King Azan (9-0) - Post 1
• PLACE: Luna Afzaal (8-10) - Post 2
• FLUKE: Kit Kat (8-4) - Post 4

My Analysis: Agreement on favorite! King Azan at 9-0 from post 1 in a 7-horse sprint is the clear banker. Top weight with rail position makes this straightforward selection.

Luna Afzaal at 8-10 from post 2 gets my place vote—conceding only 4 pounds to King Azan while positioned perfectly to track the leader. In small fields, post 2 is premium real estate.

Kit Kat at 8-4 from post 4 gets AGREEMENT as fluke—conceding 10 pounds to King Azan but sitting mid-pack with tactical flexibility. If the topweights duel, Kit Kat can sit, save, and spring.

Your Selections Analysis:

King Azan (Favourite): Complete agreement. This is the day's strongest banker candidate.

Flight Line (Place): At 8-2 from post 6 (nearly widest draw), Flight Line concedes 12 pounds to King Azan. The outside position allows avoiding traffic, and Flight Line finished 2nd in Race 8 on Day 16, proving current form. Reasonable alternative to my Luna Afzaal selection.

Kit Kat (Fluke): Perfect agreement! Post 4, 8-4 weight, tactical positioning—this is textbook fluke candidate.

Key Difference: Minor disagreement on place selection (Luna Afzaal vs Flight Line). Both carry similar weights (8-10 vs 8-2) with different tactical profiles—inside tracker vs outside swooper.

 

RACE 7 - Class VII Division II (Maiden) - 1000m - 4:00 PM

Complete Field (6 horses):

1. Waqat (8-8), 2. Mayya (8-8), 3. Jalsa (8-6), 4. Power Show (8-4), 5. Ameera (8-3), 6. Makafat (8-1)

BOOK PREDICTIONS:

• Favourite: Ameera (8-3)
• Place: Mayya (8-8)
• Fluke: Waqat (8-8)

MY PREDICTIONS:

• FAVOURITE: Waqat (8-8) - Post 1
• PLACE: Mayya (8-8) - Post 2
• FLUKE: Power Show (8-4) - Post 4

My Analysis: Significant disagreement! You're favoring Ameera at 8-3 from post 5, while I'm backing the two topweights at 8-8. In maiden races, weight assignments reflect handicapper's assessment of trial form—8-8 indicates superior quality over 8-3.

Waqat at 8-8 from post 1 gets my favorite vote—joint topweight with Mayya, but rail position in a 6-horse maiden sprint provides control. Can set pace and dare others to chase.

Mayya at 8-8 from post 2 becomes my place pick—equal weight with Waqat, tracking position, and in maidens where inexperience levels the field, these two should dominate.

Power Show at 8-4 from post 4 is MY fluke—conceding only 4 pounds to the topweights but positioned mid-pack with clean racing room. Power Show has appeared multiple times recently (including Day 16), suggesting consistent form that could translate to breakthrough victory.

Your Selections Analysis:

Ameera (Favourite): Bold call backing the 8-3 horse from post 5 over two 8-8 topweights. Ameera finished 3rd as favorite in Race 6 on Day 16, so there's proven form. Perhaps the lighter weight appeals after seeing heavier horses fail last week?

Mayya (Place): Agreement that Mayya features prominently—you have her for place, I have her for place. The 8-8 weight suggests quality.

Waqat (Fluke): You're calling the joint-topweight with rail draw a "fluke"? That's extremely contrarian! Perhaps you see Waqat as overweighted based on trials, or Ameera as significantly superior despite weight concession.

Key Difference: You're completely inverting the weight hierarchy—backing the 8-3 horse to beat the 8-8 topweights. I'm trusting the handicapper's assessment that Waqat/Mayya are superior.

 

COMPARATIVE BETTING ANALYSIS

Pattern Recognition in Your Selections:

You consistently favor lighter-weighted horses over topweights:

• Race 1: Royal Stone (9-2) - agree on topweight
• Race 2: Pride of Chandrai (8-6) over three 9-0 horses
• Race 3: Haseeb Barbarian (9-0) - agree on topweight
• Race 4: Be A Man (8-12) over Desert Crown (9-0)
• Race 5: Samara (8-5) over four 8-8 horses
• Race 6: King Azan (9-0) - agree on topweight
• Race 7: Ameera (8-3) over two 8-8 horses

Your Philosophy: You're backing form/fitness over weight assignments, likely influenced by Day 16's chaos where all topweights failed. This is smart adaptive thinking—recognizing that recent results suggest lighter horses are handling conditions better.

My Philosophy: I'm trusting weight assignments as indicators of class, combined with tactical positioning (rail draws, stalking positions). Traditional handicapping principles.

 

RECOMMENDED BETTING STRATEGIES

BANKER BETS (Highest Confidence):

1. King Azan (Race 6) - Both agree, topweight + rail + small field
2. Haseeb Barbarian (Race 3) - Both agree, stable form + topweight + rail

VALUE MULTI-BET:

• King Azan (Race 6)
• Haseeb Barbarian (Race 3)
• Adaab or Samara (Race 5 - Christmas Cup)
• Add Anni Power (Race 2) as fourth leg

EACH-WAY SPECIALS:

• Pride of Chandrai (Race 2) - Your favorite, my fluke = value odds likely
• Kit Kat (Race 6) - Both agree as fluke, should pay well
• Haseeb Thunder (Race 4) - Both agree as fluke, stable connection

EXOTIC PLAYS:

Race 5 (Christmas Cup) Exacta Box:

• Adaab, Brutas, Samara, Royal Gift (four horses, six combinations)
• This covers the main contenders regardless of who's "favorite"

Race 2 Trifecta:

• Box: Anni Power, Largess, Zindagi, Pride of Chandrai, Red Chilly
• Covers the topweights AND your contrarian pick

CONTRARIAN STRATEGY:

If Day 16's pattern continues (favorites failing), YOUR selections offer superior value:

• Pride of Chandrai (Race 2) at long odds
• Samara (Race 5) from wide draw
• Ameera (Race 7) over topweights

If form normalizes (favorites return to winning), MY selections prevail:

• Multiple topweights with rail draws
• Traditional handicapping principles

 

RACE-BY-RACE CONFIDENCE LEVELS

HIGHEST CONFIDENCE (80%+):

• Race 3: Haseeb Barbarian (both agree)
• Race 6: King Azan (both agree)

MEDIUM CONFIDENCE (60-70%):

• Race 1: Royal Stone vs Singhar (topweight debate)
• Race 4: Desert Crown vs Be A Man (similar debate)

LOWEST CONFIDENCE (40-50%):

• Race 2: 14-horse field, three at 9-0, multiple contenders
• Race 5: Christmas Cup, six horses, equal weights, maiden 2YOs
• Race 7: Maiden with contrarian favorite (Ameera)

 

FINAL PREDICTIONS SUMMARY

Race	Your Favourite	My Favourite	Agreement?
1	Royal Stone	Singhar	❌ (close)
2	Pride of Chandrai	Anni Power	❌
3	Haseeb Barbarian	Haseeb Barbarian	✅
4	Be A Man	Desert Crown	❌
5	Samara	Adaab	❌
6	King Azan	King Azan	✅
7	Ameera	Waqat	❌

Agreement Rate: 2/7 (28.6%)

This low agreement rate reflects fundamentally different handicapping philosophies:

• You: Form over weight, contrarian after Day 16's chaos
• Me: Weight + position, traditional principles

The Beautiful Truth: One of us will look brilliant, the other foolish—and we won't know until the horses cross the finish line. That's horse racing! 🏇