KUALA LUMPUR:  Jun 23, 2024

With Bernado Pinheiro back in the saddle, PASIR PINJI bounced back to his best form to win the RM50,000 TNI Charity Cup, a Supreme B race over 1300m at Sungai Besi here today.

They 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, PASIR PINJI 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.

PASIR PINJI was tackling a shorter trip than he had done for more than a year in the TNI Pacific Cup which was probably why he started third favourite in the set-weight event at RM23.

Pinheiro settled him in midfield on the outside of the favourite TRUMPY (RM10) while the second favourite CHONKY POTATO set the pace.

CHONKY POTATO was still nicely clear at the 200m where WECANDO and MISTY SWIFT were giving chase. But the leader drifted out and left a big gap on his inside allowing PASIR PINJI and TRUMPY to come through.

TRUMPY surprisingly could not make any progress in the final 100m. It was PASIR PINJI who surged to the front inside then final 100m to win by a half a length for his 12th win in 38 starts.

MISTY SWIFT beat CHONKY POTATO for second. TRUMPY finished sixth.

“He (PASIR PINJI) is a small horse with a big heart  and he never gives up,” said Pinheiro who won in four consecutive races today.

“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 simply. “Great ride from Pinheiro.”

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