Kalgoorlie Kid Hits Gold Apprentice Takes Ride Of His Life At Newcastle

Newcastle Herald

Monday December 27, 2004

By GEOFF WILSON

CHANDRAN Suresh, a kid used to riding in the far-flung mining outpost of Kalgoorlie in central Western Australia, discovered yesterday how it would feel to ride a winner in racing's big time.

The wild cheers of a record Newcastle crowd, estimated at almost 20,000 by officials, gave the apprentice rider the thrill of a lifetime after his victory on Lukita in the 900-metre maiden.

Suresh was born in Malaysia but ventured to the goldfields of Kalgoorlie to try to strike it rich in racing.

His ability was recognised when he gained a scholarship two years ago to head to Newcastle, where he spent three months under the guidance of a master mentor, the late Max Lees.

Two months ago, Suresh asked for a chance to return to Newcastle, and Lees's son, Kris, who has taken over the family business, was happy for him to return from Western Australia.

Yesterday, Suresh repaid Lees's faith by winning at Broadmeadow for the first time, more than two years after his initial campaign.

"I haven't seen a crowd like this at a race meeting that I have ridden at, and to ride a winner in front of such a huge crowd was a great thrill," Suresh said.

"I learned so much when I was here at Newcastle last time that I knew one day I would love to get back here.

"I asked Kris Lees if I could get a chance, and he allowed me to ride for him.

"I will be here for another month or so, and when I complete my apprenticeship in Western Australia, I am planning to come back to Newcastle.

"I would love to make Newcastle my home."

Lukita was Suresh's 67th winner, and he dedicated the win to his mother, who died this year in Malaysia.

"I went home when my mother died, and I just lost all concentration on racing," he said.

"I was devastated by her death, and it took me six months to get over losing her.

"She was the one who encouraged me to chase my dream of being a jockey in Australia.

"I was asked to ride for a large stable in Malaysia, but I just could not think about riding.

"Finally I started to realise that my mother would have wanted me to get on with my life and get back to riding.

"So I came back to Western Australia and started riding again, and now I am here in Newcastle.

"I am sure my mother would have been proud that I could come to such a good racing area like Broadmeadow and ride a winner."

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home