3 minute read
The phenomenal rise of PASIR PINJI, named after a new village in Ipoh, will forever earn a place in the annals of horse racing in Malaysia.
The New Zealand gelding arrived from Singapore with just one win in Open Maiden in 18 starts at Kranji.
A year ago this month, the son of Nadeem made a winning start to his Malaysian campaign, winning a Class 5B race. He swiftly made progress with eight wins in 10 more starts but was still a Class 4 horse last May.
Pasir Pinji was pitted against much stronger opposition twice last month and came out with flying colours both times in Stayers Stakes B and Supreme C events.
The stage was then set for the seven-year-old to take on the best in the Hygain Horse City Selangor Gold Cup over 1600m at Sungei Besi today.
Bernado Pinheiro, who had scored twice on the gelding in previous visits to the capital this year, took the ride and what a brilliant one it was.
Berry Bliss led on settling down from AWESOME STORM in a well bunch-up field. PASIR PINJI settled in midfield.
BERRY BLISS led into the straight just ahead of AWESOME STORM and SINCERELY with a gap to the rest who seemingly struggled to keep up.
Awesome Storm tried and tried under Jose De Souza to get to BERRY BLISS and came within half a length of the leader at the 200m.
Meanwhile, Pinheiro was winding up PASIR PINJI for a final effort and at the 200m mark they had moved up to fourth. BERRY BLISS beat off AWESOME STORM 100m out but found on answer when PASIR PINJI pounced on his outside. PASIR PINJI won by half a length.
"I couldn't be happier with the results," said Pinheiro who also won on MASTER BABY earlier in the day. "I first won on him four months ago. He (PASIR PINJI) is a small horse with a big heart.
"Thank God everything went well. I had a good cover and made him breathe and relax. In the straight, he gave me everything."
"What a little ripper horse PASIR PINJI is," exclaimed trainer Simon Dunderdale after the race. "He arrived from Singapore and won his first race for us in Class 5B. Now he is a Group 1 winner. Great ride from Bernardo."
