LAHORE, March 3: Odds on favourite Assassin’s stamina will be put to test when the unbeaten four-year-old chestnut measures his strides against six rivals in the Pakistan Derby 2012 at the Lahore Racecourse on Sunday.

With his six-race impeccable streak already talk of the town, the colt chases the third and final jewel in horse-racing triple crown in the over 2,400 metres event.

Assassin became the favourite for the cherished event after the Pakistan Derby Trials, run over 2,000 metres a fortnight ago when under jockey Shahid Rehman he exploded down the stretch to win by six lengths from Prince Of Fatehpur.

Once again with jockey Shahid Rehman aboard, Assassin meets the same field. His versatility and unblemished record have left many believing he will make it seven wins on the trot on Sunday, a feat rarely achieved in turf history.

Shahid’s expected victory will give him the sixth triumph in this classic. Already he is tied up with one time Karachi’s leading jockey R. Flatcher with five Derby wins each.

The Derby winner will be awarded Rs600,000 along with a cup valued at Rs35,000. Those placed second and third will receive Rs200,000 and Rs100,000 respectively.

The breeder will be awarded Rs35,000 for breeding the four-year-old champion thoroughbred in the eighth race.

The Derby Day race card also features in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup to be contested over 2,000 metres.

Six-year-old horse, Jhalwan should romp home ahead of the tiny field of five contenders. Quality Road and Jhalwan Blue will be fighting it out for the second spot.

Three-year-old colt Balaj, having two facile victories to his credit, will be on the trot to complete a hat-trick of wins. He is contesting in the National Breeders Cup to be gone over 1,400 metres.

Balaj’s dominating win in the Munir Ahmed Dar Memorial Cup over Invincible by five lengths a fortnight ago clearly makes him a strong contender.

His victory will give Shahid Rehman his fifth success in this event when previously he has won four times on Blue Traveller (2003), Rock The World (2004), Valentine (2006) and Dixie (2008). Assassin had won this race in 2011 under Aamir Pervez.

Two sons of Assassi, Invincible and Easy To Walk, and filly Boneka will be battling it out for the second spot in the seventh race.

Northern Crown, One Way II and Moment Of Truth look good in the run for the Stewards Cup to be run over 1,400 metres.

Northern Crown, sold for Rs1.7 million four years ago, should register a consolation victory this time.

Three-year-old filly Raks-e-Hawa is fancied to win the LRC Cup over 1,400 metres. Quick Return and Sweet Sarrow look good for places.

Mian Shams Din Memorial Cup has the largest field of 18 runners. On past performance and track record three of them attract attention. They are Predator, Catrail and Hail Selassie.

A lengthy card of a dozen races will be decided in the day long racing with the horses going towards starting gate at 11.00am.