Ace jockey Suraj Narredu scaled monumental heights when he partnered Guiding Force to victory in the Crown Treasure Plate a race fittingly named as it gave him the much anticipated 2000th success in the saddle. Only jockey - the late B Prakash has surpassed the figure a few years back. Hyderabad has been a happy hunting ground for Suraj Narredu and after having drawn a blank at Mumbai last Sunday, Suraj duly scored the two victories that he needed to reach the landmark with a popular back-to-back double in the 6th and 7th races of the day. He won both the races with a measure of comfort, first astride Ruletheworld, followed by Guiding Force. 

Ruletheworld (Speaking of Which - Averoff) had to contend with two major rivals in favourite Call of the Blue and The Great Gatsby. While The Great Gatsby was up and off soon on start, Call of the Blue looked in distress and made no impact on the race whatsoever. The Great Gatsby had a decent lead coming into the straight, but had no answer when Ruletheworld challenged his lead past the 400 m mark.  Ruletheworld, saddled by Deshmukh, stormed past The Great Gatsby and then drew away to romp home a clear winner with a healthy margin without confronting any resistance. Pentagon held on and surprised many while finishing second over the 2000 meters race. Exclusive Blue ended a tame third, holding off Call of the Blue by half a length. 

The excitement grew in the next race when Suraj trotted out of the paddock atop Guiding Force (Green Coast - Ice Castle) from trainer Prasad Raju's yard. Coming in with two straight wins, Guiding Force had good support in the betting but Dandy Man was the prime fancy with Guiding Force quoted at 5/1 in the betting ring. 

Both Guiding Force and Dandy Man were in the mid pack as King Maker did all the front running until into the straight with Rahil following close behind. Guiding Force made smooth progress and was perched up nicely coming into the final 400 meters. The moment Suraj asked the for an effort, Guiding Force galloped resolutely and sped away from the field. He looked the winner the moment he stared to accelerate and duly compiled a memorable win for his jockey Suraj Narredu getting him to the monumental 2000th victory! Dandy Man ended a tame second, just managing to nose out long time leader King Maker on the post. 

Suraj received a loud cheer as he returned to the winner's enclosure. Suraj himself was happy and a touch relieved having crossed the landmark. "My first thoughts were with my senior, friend and colleague jockey B Prakash; I remember applauding his achievement as the first Indian jockey to have crossed 2000 winners mark. I have to dedicate this achievement to the racing public as they selflessly cheer each moment of glory. The masses are the lifeline of any sport and horse racing is no different. I am fortunate to have scores of people who are my well wishers and at every center that I have ridden. Their adulation is highly motivational and we professionals thrive when the crowd revel in our personal glories. I was a tad low when I couldn't make it in Mumbai, however getting there with trainer Prasad Raju's ward is also special as he is like family as well having shared a good rapport over the years. Every achievement has to have a 'guiding force' that leads you, now I feel its poetic justice that I won it on a horse named Guiding Force," said Suraj Narredu.

Bedford (Phoenix Tower - Browning) saddled by Prasad Raju overcame an erratic course round the turn and jockey Trevor was sharp to get the good looking filly into course correction mode soon enough. However, by then Elegant Stroke had built up a sizable lead with under 400 to go. Trevor rode out the debutante astutely and the filly produced a fiery turn of foot to zip ahead in the final furlong, making her run on the center of the track. The momentum took her away and forward to carve out a debut win with something to spare. Beautiful Luv warded off the fast finishing Belle Springs for the second spot.

Overseas jockey Nathan Evans opened his account and so did Apollo (Green Coast - Above the Line) in the very next race. Sitting in second behind leader Let It Be Me, Nathan gave his mount the go ahead soon on turning for home. Apollo picked up speed approaching the distance post and then galloped strongly to skip away from Let It Be Me in the final few strides. NRI Vision ran on to save place money. 

Tough and Go (Ontario - Hot And Classic) put in a determined start to finish effort and held on bravely in the closing stages to score a narrow win. The Shehzad Abbas trainee had Troubadour close behind and had to be ridden out to stay ahead. Apprentice jockey Afroz Khan rode relentlessly keeping Troubadour at bay until past the post to score by half a length. Spiritual came when all was over but saved the place money. 

Running Fire saw a good effort go down close home as Story Teller (Tazahum - Good Life) changed the script at the climax. Running Fire was well ahead approaching the distance post and had Hurricane a couple of lengths behind. With Hurricane not exactly closing in, Running Fire looked safe from Hurricane. However, Story Teller arrived between the two with about 100 m to go and picked up momentum in the final stages to take the race away from Running Fire to compile his maiden win. Hurricane ended a close third.     

Crimson Fire (Crimson China - Friendly Type) saddled by trainer Satyanarayana, was forcefully ridden by jockey Rohit Kumar in the finishing stages to get the better off equally strongly ridden Best Friend. Crimson Fire was in third spot as Best Friend led them into the straight, with Ursula close behind. Best Friend stretched out nicely to hold sway well into the final furlong, however, Crimson Fire inched closer with every stride and eventually dashed past Best Friend to win by a length from Best Friend. Human Touch rallied well to take the third spot.  

L D'Silva trained Glendale (Green Coast - Cheyenne) won the concluding event of the day with a nippy final surge in the last 100 meters. Country's Pet was in front with Dumbledore threatening to snatch the lead. This pair fought hard through the early half of the homestretch. Just when Dumbledore began to stretch away from Country's Pet, Glendale arrived on the scene. He joined Dumbledore inside the final furlong and Dumbledore had another fight on his hands. This time however, he could not sustain as Glendale was overbearing in the closing stages and finally surged past to score one and half lengths. Dazzling King rallied well to finish with the money. 

it was a heroic day for Jockey Suraj Narredu having touched the great milestone. Team indiarace congratulates the ace jockey for the landmark and wishes Suraj Narredu the very best for the future as well.