LAHORE: Three-year-old bay filly Benevolent ended the year in a blaze of glory by powering to victory in the feature event during the L ahore Winter Meeting at the Racecourse here on Sunday.

The daughter of famed Irish sire, Dunhill Star, Benevolent caused a major upset in the Yasoob Plate, a class VI handicap race run over 1,400 metres as she lowered the colours of nine high-pedigree rivals in a pulsating finish at the line.

They included at least a quartet of likely contenders for the classic events in the 2018.

The 80 to 100 favourite bay colt Prince of Gowalmandi wentdown fighting by three-fourth of a length with second favourite bay filly Loving Memory finishing third one and-a-half lengths adrift while bay colt Marshal Attack hopelessly completed the f rame.

Benevolent, who registered her third victory and the second over 1,400 metres of her career in which she was placed second thrice in 16 outings to date, clocked one minute 25 seconds improving her own timing of one minute 26 4/5 seconds over the distance, a few weeks ago.

The Sohrab Khan-owned and Amjad Ali II-trained filly Benevolent was guided to victory by jockey Mohammad Hanif, who had earlier romped home on grey-roan filly Aie Swair to win the third race inracing order.

The supporting event, the Listen To Me Plate, class VII Division I handicap race gone over the sprinung distance of1,000 metres was claimed by grey colt, Voice of Silence inflicting a two lengths roaring success over Gondal Prince an even-money favourite.Bay colt Punjabi Munda and chestnut Blue Max completed the board.

The winner, trained by Haji Abid Mahmood, was ridden byjockey Aamir Pervez, who is notoriousin creating controversies by his riding style.

The second supporting event, Listen To Me Plate Class VII Division II contested over 1,000 metres was easily won by blueroan horse Banjo. His victory left the race-goers stunned as Banjo had finished of f the frame a week ago in the same company.

The backers of favourite bay colt Hornet and second favourite, bay filly Helena placed second and third, respectively were left wondering on his vastly improved show of speed in an inand-out-running and that too going unquestioned.

Riding boy Mohammad Wasim rode the winner to complete his double after having earlier scored a surprise victoryon bay colt, Check 123 in the opener. He beat odds on favourite filly Zillay Huma, ridden by Mubashir Bhatti and trained by Farasat Ali Khan.

A large number of race-fans turned up to watch the races when three favourite horses won in a card of seven events gone through smoothly.

Meanwhile, the Lahore Race Club (LRC) has decided to reintroduce imported thoroughbred racing on the first Sunday of the new year (Jan 7) subject to entries.

Talking to Dawn, the owners who have imported thoroughbreds said they have decided to enter their imported thoroughbred to make a good beginning to revive the old traditions of the club.