LAHORE: Unknown pedigree colt Salam-e-Dera caused the biggest upset of the day when powering to victory in the Faisalabad Cup during the Lahore Winter Meeting at the Racecourse here on Sunday.

Purchased recently by well-known owner, Muntazir Mehdi and trained by Tanvir Aslam the four-year-old bay colt lef t the race-goers scratching their head by a top class performance in the company of 16-thoroughbreds from theselect bloodline of reputed sires like Muzdahar, Western Choice, Dubai Edition,Orizaba,Assassi,Conflict,Quillboquet, Dunhill Star, the Invincible and the Atlantic Sport.

Participating in the 1,100-metre race for Class VI Division III and IV combined handicap race, the rank outsider Salam-e-Dera led all the way home from the start to beat long shot colt Ned`s Dream by two clear lengths.

Chestnut colt Nanook and filly River Rose slithering pathetically behind the two, occupied third and fourth spot, respectively, in a dismal run.Riding boy Pervez Bhatti had the credit of partnering Salam-e-Dera to cap the weekend racing with a welldeserved brace of winners after having already ridden bay colt Gambler Boy in the second race to bring Tanvir Aslam in to racing limelight.

The Jockey Club of Pakistan chairman Syed Pervez Hussain, who is also L ahore Race Club (LRC) steward, gave away the cup to the winning owner.

The LRC stewards were not satisfied with the doubtful handling of favourite, bay horse Daniel Bryan by riding boy Sunny Babuin the opening race. They sus-pended him from riding for six months. In another prompt action they stopped entry in races of filly Aftab Princess for six months following the favourite`s poor show in the third race who ran off the frame leaving race-goers finger-crossed.

The LRC veterinary Officer examined the filly and foundit sluggish and unfit to race. They also stopped entries of bay colt Sumy Choice in races for three months af ter his dismal performance to run off the frame in the feature event, the Faisalabad Cup. Sunny Choice was examined by the LRCV.O, who certified it running temperature.