Winning the Carbine Club Of WA Apprentices Cup (2100m) at Ascot on Saturday was a personal triumph.
Against his peers, he left no one in doubt what winning the race meant for him.
After passing the post on Zadar Rock, Keshaw Dhurun stood high in the irons and turned to the crowd with his right hand raised high in celebrating the victory.
It capped a wonderful day for the popular Mauritian-born jockey who got off to a dream start when piloting raging favourite and unbeaten two-year-old Brave Halo in race one.
It was almost as pretty a watch on Zadar Rock two races later.
Sent straight to the front from barrier five by Dhurun, Zadar Rock held that position throughout and was never headed, scoring by a comfortable two lengths.
Admired, with Holly Watson in the saddle, ran second and the Adam Durrant-trained Tri For Us, the $2.90 race favourite, ridden by Taj Dyson, finished third.
Trained by Jim Taylor, Zadar Rock passed his first test at the distance with flying colours and improved his record to four wins from 13 starts.
Forming a successful partnership, Dhurun has been aboard Zadar Rock for three of the wins, including his first victory this preparation at Northam.
Dhurun said he was thrilled to accept the Apprentices Cup and was fairly confident of victory after landing in front on jumping.
“Oh, yeah,” Dhurun said.
“Once I got in front I said I probably already win.
“He always tries his best, but if you put him midfield he doesn’t want to do it.
“But once he got in front I said it’s finished.
“It was a good effort from the trainer, Jim Taylor and his whole team-great job.”
Dhurun and his best mate, Laqdar Ramoly, landed in WA under a training agreement between the Mauritius Turf Club and Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA).
Ramoly has dominated the apprentice ranks since his arrival and outrode his metropolitan claim after guiding home Nerodio in the Listed Beaufine Stakes in July.
Dhurun and Ramoly have made the racing transition from Mauritius to Perth look easy and are lauded within the racing community for their work ethic and determination.
Taylor is an unabashed fan of the duo.
“Lucky (Laqdar) used to do all our apprentice riding before he lost his claim,” Taylor said.
“Keshaw does all our riding now with his claim and he is such a good boy.
“They are well mannered and do everything that you tell them.
“They are just a credit to their families.”
Dhurun claims 2kg in town and is indentured to WA Racing Hall Of Fame trainer, Neville Parnham.
Dhurun’s double boosted his city tally to nine wins. He sits five behind Watson in the Leading Apprentice award.
