With jockey Bernado Pinheiro back in the saddle, Pasir Pinji bounced back to his best form to win the RM50,000 TNI Charity Cup (1300m) at Selangor on Sunday for trainer Simon Dunderdale.
The pair triumphed in the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) last September when Pasir Pinji went on a run of five consecutive wins, culminating with his victory in the Cup.
Since then, the New Zealand bred son of Nadeem has notched one more win and some minor placings, and Pinheiro rode him one more time to finish third in a Metro A race two months ago.
Racing at a distance short of his best, it mattered little as Pasir Pinji went on to score by half a length for his 12th win in 38 starts.
“He is a small horse with a big heart and he never gives up,” said Pinheiro who won in four consecutive races.
“We were worried about the (short) distance but Simon (Dunderdale) managed to keep him fresh.
“From the wide barrier (8) I managed to get into a good position. He travelled so well. I gave him all the chances and he ran on so well.”
Pinheiro has now won four times on Pasir Pinji who came over from Singapore with just one win at Kranji and began his Malaysian campaign in Class 5.
“Pasir Pinji is a little beauty, all heart and fighting spirit,” Dunderdale said. “Plus it was a great ride from Pinheiro.”
Originally bought for just $6000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018 from the draft of the Westend Partnership, Pasir Pinji returned for the Ready to Run Sale later that year and was bought by Singapore-based Kiwi trainer Donna Logan for $34,000 from the draft of Woburn Farm.
