Wecando continued to prove that he still has what it takes despite his age with a gutsy win in the Class 3 – 1020m sprint on the No 2 track at Sungai Besi on Sunday.

The New Zealand gelding won six races in five seasons at Kranji and has now picked up four wins in 12 starts as a nine-year-old in Malaysia.

Two starts back on Mar 24, the son of Per Incanto ran out an easy winner in a similar race over 1075m also on the No 2 track.

This time, however, Wecando  was pitted against HIGH WATER (the second favourite), a recent winner in Metro A, and KASSAB, winner of three races in Singapore.

KASSAB ran third to WECANDO in his second start in the country last time out but came in for solid support and started favourite.

WECANDO went off at a generous RM54.

HIGH WATER went straight to the front after the start and KASSAB settled in a handy third position with WECANDO not far off in fifth.

HIGH WATER led into the straight from TOPMOST with KASSAB and WECANDO right behind the front two.

HIGH WATER was nicely clear at the 200m but WECANDO charged at him in the final 100m. HIGH WATER fought back with every stride and it was only in the last stride that WECANDO got his nose in front to win in a photo finish.

"Been a good buy", trainer Frank Maynard said of WECANDO.

"Good effort today backing up from last week (when unplaced over 1250m) and he will have two weeks off and go fresh in the Perak Gold Vase. He keeps improving so he deserves a chance."

"My instructions was to sit midfield and make a move round the home turn," said jockey Daniel Jagadishan who was riding the gelding for the first time.

"My horse travelled well all the way. He gave me a good kick when I asked for the effort at the top of the straight. He showed big heart and fought well to the line."