First group one win for Muniandy

Congratulations to Shankar Muniandy on winning his first group one race when he rode Indian Jade in the Perak Gold Vase at Perak (Malaysia) on Sunday. The senior White Robe Lodge jockey is on leave riding in his birthplace for the winter. Indian Jade paid $73 to win and $19 for a place in the 150,000 ringgit (NZ$47,925) 1100m race when he prevailed by a head. Muniandy was riding Indian Jade for the first time. The 7yr-old gelding by Sleeping Indian bred in Great Britain, is trained by Frank Maynard. The former Australian farrier based in Kuala Lumpur has won the Gold Vase three times in the past four years.

Muniandy (30) served his apprenticeship with Brian and Shane Anderton. He has won 197 races in the 11 years he has lived in New Zealand including the group three Canterbury Gold Cup on Inferno twice. He won the listed Riverton Cup on Patrick Erin in April.