MUMBAI: Suraj Narredu, arguably the best jockey in the country today, played the waiting game to perfection and brought his mount Synthesis with a flourish in the last 100 meters to first overtake leader Christofle, and then stave off the challenge of Pune Derby winner Enabler to win the HPSL Indian 2000 Guineas, the second classic of the season and feature of Sunday's Mumbai races.
"I had a small doubt about the race fitness of my mount as he was racing competitively for the first time on this Mahalaxmi track after a couple of mock races," Suraj told TOI after the race. "So, I took time before letting Synthesis gallop freely close to home as I wanted to have some gas left in him if anyone poses a challenge at the end," added Suraj for whom it was his fourth Indian 2000 Guineas success and second for the trainer Rajesh Narredu.
