It is 1,997 down and three to go for top jockey Suraj Narredu, who is a tantalising three wins away from notching up the magical milestone of 2,000 winners in the sport.

The 2,000 number has been reached just once before by late jockey B Prakash, who passed away in December last year after a heart attack. Suraj, who has two Indian Derby wins to his credit, is riding in Kolkata tomorrow and then in Mumbai on Sunday (December 8).