Colt Governor canters to cup victory at Lahore races.

Byline: Aftab Gilani

LAHORE -- Odds-on favourite colt Governor lived up to his star billing when powered to victory in the Sheikh Zaheer Aslam Memorial Cup during the Lahore Winter Meeting at the Racecourse here on Sunday.

The son of Irish sire Light Heavy from the famous bloodline of Galileo, Governor was ridden by jockey Aamir Pervez as he sealed a three-length easy victory over filly Dahab, who was ridden by jockey Mohammad Hanif. Bred at Makhdum Syed Ahmad Mahmud's stud farm in Rahim Yar Khan, the winning colt running under the silks of Zaid Raheem, was trained by Shahid Rehman.

Colt Exceptional One finished third another three lengths back with filly Lail-o-Nihar fourth.

The cup was received at a ceremony by Makhdum Murtaza Mahmud from the widow of Sheikh Zaheer Aslam, who was flanked by her sons. Lahore Race Club (LRC) steward Abdul Qadir Khan Mamdot, secretary Shahzad Akhtar were also present. The entire club was decorated with large- sized portraits of the late prominent horse owner, whose inning of race-horse ownership spanning over five decades. His entire family, including grandchildren and other relatives, flocked the paddock to watch the prize-distribution ceremony.

LRC chairman Makhdum Syed Ahmad Mahmud, former chairman Tariq Aziz, sitting and former stewards, LRC members and a large number of race-fans attended races, some of which were so closely contested finishing five horses within a length to make it a memorable occasion. After a long time the race-goers view presented a large number of ladies. The races ended with Omar Zaheer's bay filly Legacy winning the last race to send the family back home in a jovial mood.

After a long time riding boy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mohammad Wasim Khan broke his barren spell on the rider's statistics win table when he registered a hard earned success in the third race partnering roan horse Banjo. He beat Neeli De Malika by two-and-a-half lengths.

Results:

THE THEEK HAI PLATE CLASS VII DIV V - 1,000M:

Mr Brown (Shahbaz Butt) 8-8, Javed Akhtar 1; She 7-12, Deenar Mirwani 2; Good Action 8-6, Babar Rehman 3; Miss Bray 8-2, Shahzad Bhatti 4.

Won by 2A1/2 L, 2 L, Neck. Time: one minute 4 1/5 seconds. Winner trained by Aamir Azad.

THE THEEK HAI PLATE CLASS VII DIV V - 1,000M:

Malika Princess (Muqaddas Ali Dogar) 9-0, Ghaus Bakhsh 1; Chan Punjabi 9-0, Babar Rehman 2; Artghal 8-6, Deenar Mirwani 3; Golden Pound 8-12, Shakeel Mahmood 4.

Won by 5 L, 3 L, 2 L. Time: one minute 3 seconds. Winner...