Champion Indian jockey Suraj Narredu will call Victoria home for a three-month stint starting in April as he makes the most of the seasonal break in his homeland.

Narredu, 38, is a veteran of the saddle for 15 years, clocking more than 2000 winners including the Indian Derby - the biggest race on the calendar - four times.

The jockey told News Corp recently that dipping his toe in the water Down Under was always on the cards at some stage, but - like many things - was pushed back due to the pandemic.

"Basically, it was at the back of my mind for a very, very long time," Narredu said.

"Usually when we have a break over here, when we don't have racing in India, I try to pick a place each year and try to go abroad.

"The unfortunate part was I only get one to 1-1/2 month break, and because I've always been retained to big stables ... my family's into training as well, my dad (Satish) and uncle (Malesh) were jockeys and now they're trainers.

"Our family trains about 100 to 150 horses, so there's a bit of responsibility on me to be here.

"But this year I've taken a different stance, and I want to go to Australia - it's been there (in my mind) to go for a very long time.

"I almost had done my paperwork before the pandemic, and unfortunately because of coronavirus I couldn't travel that year - and the travel restrictions became difficult, so I didn't go anywhere for the last three years.

"I decided to make the move to Australia, whatever happens I'm giving myself three months there."

Narredu will ride work for Cranbourne trainer Julius Sandhu, who has one of the country's most promising sprinters Lofty Strike at his disposal, and also look to get a bit of support elsewhere when it comes to picking up race rides.

And he's used to the travel aspect of being a jockey, with Narredu's carrier of choice actually being an aeroplane.

"I travel five days a week, literally living out of the suitcase - in and out of flights like they're cars," he said.

"Been doing it for the last 15-16 years."

While based in Bengaluru (or Bangalore as it is commonly known) - the capital of the southern state Karnataka - he regularly travels to Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai to ride.

Australia isn't his first venture abroad, having ridden in Macau, Dubai, Malaysia, Mauritius and the US, as well as most recently heading to Ireland where he worked with Aidan O'Brien, Joseph O'Brien and John Oxx.

Narredu can ride down to 54.5kg, and will arrive in Melbourne in early April.

While Bangalore's climate can be on the milder side for India's standards, Narredu is a little concerned at how he might acclimatise to the conditions in Melbourne.

"I am a little scared because everyone's told me about the Melbourne winter and how chilly it is," Narredu said with a laugh.

"When I applied for my licence, I never thought about this ... but ever since, a few people have told me I started to get a bit worried!"

Courtesy - https://www.punters.com.au/news/indian-jockey-suraj-narredu-to-ride-in-victoria-for-three-months-20230326/