Finally, Rajendra throws his weight - By S. Awasthi | TNN
Posted on - 11 Aug 2010
Finally, Rajendra throws his weight
Shailendra Awasthi | TNN
Pune: Ace saddle artist C. Rajendra, the undisputed king of Western India racing (Mumbai and Pune), finally signalled his arrival on the stage with a quadruple on his favourite turf on Thursday. The thundering applause from racing enthusiasts even thrilled the pint-sized dynamo.
“Applause from racing public is a tonic for me,” said the 36-year-old rider who has won champion jockey crown 25 times at Pune and Mumbai in the last 18 years since he is been riding.
Was he under pressure? “I knew luck will soon smile on me. It was a matter of time so I wasn’t feeling the pressure,” said Rajendra who is on a hat-trick at Pune Derby having won it with Phenomenale in 2008 and with Versaki in 2009.
“I am a retainer (on contract to ride for a particular owner) for Rakesh Wadhwan this season so I can’t ride for other owners as often. This reduces my chances to get a winning ride but I’m sure I will make a mark as we have a long way to go before season ends,” said Rajendra who has a rare distinction of registering more than 1,000 winners at Mumbai and Pune alone.
Rajendra said he mostly rides in Mumbai and Pune because he wants to do justice to his mounts. “I like to know the horses well which I’m going to ride. It really helps if you know the rivals as well. So mostly it is only for the big or classic races that I go out,” said Rajendra who has won many a regional classics in other centres including derby in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
When asked about what he thinks about the increasing cases of careless or dangerous riding among youngsters, Rajendra refused to comment but he acknowledged that the closure of riding school in Mumbai more than a decade ago had a great impact on level of riding. “Our instructor Jimmy Bharucha was a great horseman. He taught us the importance of balancing and controlling horse in a way not many can teach. Today’s jockeys have missed that,” observed Rajendra.
One of the main reasons of his success has been his ever constant weight. But Rajendra, who is five-foot tall, says it has been a constant struggle to manage at 51 kg. “I just eat four or five chapatis and I mostly survive on fruits and soups,” said Rajendra, who does yoga and workouts too.
But this harsh diet regime goes for a toss when he cooks for friends. “I’m a great cook and make nice Hyderabadi Biryani, Kheema and Gajar Ka Halwa which I normally make for my friends. Though I try to be a mere spectator but I fail in my resolve most of the times,” said one of the most eligible bachelors among riders.
“We have fought many a battles and I know he is not the one who gives up easily. Rajendra is a good competitor. He has an excellent race temperament and is naturally talented. His results over the years show he is simply great,” said veteran rider Malesh Narredu regarded as one of the finest riding talents in the country.
Rajendra is not contemplating retiring as yet but says he would love to become a trainer which he says depends of owners’ faith. “If good owners back me, then I will think of becoming a trainer as I think I have enough experience about horses as I had been living with them for so many years.”
C. Rajendra
Factfile Born: Feb 4, 1975 in Pune. Racing background: Both his maternal uncles, B. Shanker and S. Shanker were riders. Learned Riding: Went to jockey school at Mumbai between 1990 and 1992.
Turned professional rider: Started riding in Pune in 1993. Achievements: Won more than 1500 races in 18-year-old career which includes more than 1000 at Mumbai and Pune race courses alone. Major wins: Two Indian 1000 Guineas in 2003 and 2006 besides many regional classics and million races. Foreign experience: Ridden in UK, France, Macau, Malaysia and Mauritius.
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