Malesh impressed by 'Enlightenment'

After a prolonged wait of four months, jockey-turned-trainer Malesh Narredu finally got off the mark with a horse named Enlightenment. The six-year-old bottom class horse was spiritedly backed down to even money favouritism by the former ace jockey's supporters.

Enlightenment, owned by Jaydev Mody, was ridden to victory by Neeraj Rawal. "This surely brings a sense of relief after a couple of narrow misses," Narredu told MiD DAY yesterday, "especially the one last week."

He was referring to Royal Companion ridden by apprentice rider Ishwar Pardeshi who was shocked at the post virtually in the last stride by Venus Rosewater last Sunday.

"As a jockey, I took two years to score my first win," Narredu added jokingly, "but I still did well as a jockey, didn't I? So, I hope to do better as trainer because this victory has come relatively sooner."

The feature race, Karl Umrigar Turf Championship, was won by Onassis, trained by Pesi Shroff and ridden by B Prakash.

This was the second successive year when the late Karl Umrigar's brother-in-law Pesi Shroff saddled the winner of the race. Trainer Bezan Chenoy bagged the professional honours for the day with a double. He saddled Great White (Blue Ribbon Plate) & Vittoria (Jimmy Bharucha Trophy). Jockeys B Prakash and Neeraj Rawal also ended the day with two winners each.