He couldn't have given his new employer a better gift--the joy of leading in a Classic winner after a long gap of three years in front of his home crowd. Mallya's last Classic victory was also won by him astride Camarioca in the Mysore 1000 Guineas in 2005. Malesh Narredu, ace saddle artist and one of the top jockeys of India, was recently offered a retainer by liquor baron Vijay Mallya. Incidentally, Mallya's fortunes in horse racing, a sport very dear to his heart, had taken a beating in recent times, only to be revived now, mainly thanks to a decision of sending his best equine prospects in the care of Pesi Shroff, champion jockey-turned-champion-trainer. It was, hence, no wonder that the Classic winner led in by Mallya was none other than Set Alight, who won the Fillies' Trial Stakes at the Bangalore racetrack last Sunday by beating her 15 rivals without raising sweat in the mile-long race. The moment also marked a personal milestone for Malesh himself--scoring his 50th Classic! He now enters the illustrious circle of jockeys who have crossed the 50-Classics mark, viz, Jagdish, Vasant Shinde, Robin Corner, Aslam Kader, Pesi Shroff, Satish Narredu and B. Prakash. Only three of them--Shinde (114), B Prakash (114) and Shroff (106)--crossed the magic century mark. However, one must also mention that the legendary Jagdish fell just short notching up 98 classic winners. Rejoicing over his major landmark, Malesh said, "I had started off my Classic run partnering a filly called Citi Limits in the Fillies Trials at Kolkata way back in 1989. My 50th classic has also come in the Fillies Trials in Bangalore. The latest victory, however, is dearest to me, as Set Alight happens to be the best filly I have ridden in my career so far.” He added, "Set Alight is well-conformed, and has quality speed and immense stamina. She definitely has the bloodline, the mettle and the temperament to develop into a superstar." Malesh strongly endorses the trainer's part: "Who better than Pesi to mould her? She has already shown great improvement on her Mumbai form. She is maturing into a great athlete. In my opinion, she will relish longer trips, and I am raring to go for her next assignment, the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby. That will be her first serious test against some impressive colts as well, and I am confident she will emerge victorious." Indeed, Set Alight lived up to her name. In the Fillies Trials, she eased into a good rhythm early on and when the heat was turned on, she cruised ahead to score a facile victory. In the Fernhill Palace Million earlier this season, many felt that she did not really gallop fluently. But Malesh begs to differ. He says, "First of all, it is very rare that a juvenile filly gives weight to her rivals--colts included, and then wins easily. I can't recollect when a filly did this last time. Don't forget that Mark Of Gibraltar is also a colt of repute. Then, the Million was her first run of the season, and she only had a mock race for preparation. Still, the moment I asked her to go, she simply sped ahead. If that wasn't an impressive performance, then perhaps people expected her to do much more than that." Pressed for more bytes on his past Classic successes, Malesh nominated Indictment as his best partner. The Dhunjibouy colt got him his only Triple Crown triumph and Malesh prizes the McDowell Indian Derby victory as his most cherished moment on the turf. "The feeling of an Indian Derby success is intoxicating. That race is in a league of its own. Pesi will tell you, he won quite a few of those but I can tell you he would still be hungry for more had he not retired. Indictment gave me this taste. Even to this day, whenever I feel a bit low, one look at the video of that race gets my adrenalin flowing and I feel elated reliving those moments." For his contribution as a jockey in a horse's Classic success, Malesh singles out Tobler's Nanoli Stud Pune Derby victory. "Tobler was a speedy type, and mile-and-a-quarter was not exactly the ideal trip for him. I think it was one of my best rides and as it turned out, I did everything right on that day. At the risk of being accused of bragging, I would still go on to say that I gauged the race to perfection, reserved the best of Tobler for the business end and did the right things at the right time. The race was won with clockwork precession and I think (adds with a chuckle) I can allow myself to take a chunk of the credit for this particular victory!" Malesh is extremely impressed with Set Alight. So much so that the quality of his enthusiasm and eagerness for the forthcoming Classic reflects, strangely, a shade of an excited young jockey riding in his early days. "I am excited over every single race that I win. Classics double the pleasure. I am fortunate to have had a fruitful career so far and I am now looking forward with renewed vigour to the Pune Season. That's my home turf and I know I will do very well in Pune. I have won seven Pune Derby races there. It would be great to add to my tally, and if it is Set Alight, it will be an added pleasure," he concludes. Set Alight's Derby victory may not be a foregone conclusion as yet ("We will see some very good horses in Colts' Trial, I would not take things for granted," Malesh warns). However, it will take exceptional talent and prowess for anyone to take on this impressive Mallya filly. Is there any colt lurking in there who can do that? The answer will be available at the end of the Colts' Trial to be run this Sunday.