Gul Zareen’s Assassin takes Pakistan Derby title

Assassin of Gul Zareen Khan won the Pepsi-sponsored Pakistan Derby leaving bhind Prince of Fatehpur and Formula One lingering at number second and third places respectively. Ridden by champion rider Shahid Rehman saddled the four year old Assassin to victory and won the stake money for Zareen, who bought the horse for Rs 200,000 last year and it was Assassin who participated in six previous races and returned winner in all of them. In a card of 12 races at the Lahore Race Club only one upset was recorded with Love to win wining the second race of the day stunning Happy Time, which came third. Aboor was placed second in the five furlong distance race participated by around 18 horses. In the first race Elegance started the day with clear distance win while Silent stood second while the third race of the day went to Predator while Mr Accurate, which have a history of upsets came second.
Accurate, owned by Shaheen Butt would have staged yet another upset had it not tumbled at the start of the race which provided Predator an opportunity to win the race. Hidden Pearl claimed the title of the fourth race. It was also the first win of the day of Shahid Rehman who later won the Pakistan Derby riding Assassin. Right One and Let me Shine were placed second and third. In the fifth race of day, Rakhsali Hawa was the winner while Nine-Eleven was second and Big Red was third while Moment of Truth, One Way an Northern Crown were the first three places winners. Invisible visibly claimed the seventh race title with Bilal being placed second and Easy to Walk.
The eighth race of the day was Pakistan Derby and Lahore Race Club Chairman Tariq Aziz and head of Pepsi were the chief guest and gave the trophy to the owner of Assassin. Jahwan Blue won the ninth race whuile Quality Road and Janwan were joint second. Strawberry claimed first place in the 10th race with Aftab Prince and Ms Muga getting to the remaining two places. In the eleventh race, Abbas Love, Pawa Star and Bark Lord were winners while Try my Best, Baba Jee and Marmanwali were first, second and third respectively in the final race of the day.