Mallesh Narredu’s license was withdrawn from September
11, 2006 to
January 10, 2007 by the Bangalore Turf Club Stewards last week for not permitting Aashirwaad to run on merits in the Gr.3 Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup, the main event of the concluding races of the Bangalore Summer Season, held
on the 11th of August 2006. The Stewards had ordered an enquiry into the riding of Aashirwaad
soon after the race and the same was pending for judgement.
Aashirwaad ran as a favourite but finished third. Malesh did not get Aashirwaad to run on an even keel but the horse was nevertheless full of running. The jockey told the Stipes that the horse was lugging in and something was amiss with the horse. After a detailed veterinary check, the Stipes did not agree with the views of the jockey and recommended him for a stiff suspension for
"not
permitting the horse to run on merits." The Stipes said that they did not find any merit in the
jockey's arguments and the Chief Veterinary Officer of BTC had certified that the horse was checked for any abnormality and found to be in perfect shape.
This is the first time that Mallesh Narredu has been suspended for malpractice. Though the jockey had been astride quite regularly on failed favourites and his riding had come under critical scrutiny of the racing public, he always found the authorities in his favour. However, luck ran out for him this time as he found no such favour from the Stewards of Bangalore Turf Club. Malesh Narredu has preferred to appeal and the same is to come up for hearing sometime next week.
