ENGLISH invader Sheikhzayedroad made a successful North American debut when he held off Dynamic Sky in a tight finish in the $282,711 Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes, last Sunday at Woodbine.

The winner drifted out a couple of paths in the final yards before the finish, causing pacesetter Reporting Star to take up in tight quarters, and he appeared to brush with the onrushing Dynamic Sky as well. Following a long stewards’ inquiry, however, a claim of foul was disallowed and the result stood.??

Martin Lane rode Sheikhzayedroad, a British-bred five-year-old son of Dubawi trained by David Simcock for owner/breeder Rabbah Bloodstock, to the victory.

Sheikhzayedroad, the 3/1 second choice, scored by half a length in the mile and a half mile trip over a turf course rated good. Dynamic Sky, at odds of 24/1, was second, with Reporting Star third.

The Pizza Man, the 6/5 favourite in the field of nine, was unplaced, ending his five-race win streak.

Reporting Star set a deliberate pace while on an easy lead, with defending Northern Dancer victor Forte Dei Marmi in second through the first 10 furlongs.

Sheikhzayedroad, well back in the field for the opening mile after a slow break, was put to work rounding the final turn by Lane, the gelding’s regular rider.

challenge

As The Pizza Man mounted a challenge along the inside, Sheikhzayedroad may have made the winning move when dropped down to the rail in front of The Pizza Man past mid-stretch. ??

With room to operate along the inside, Sheikhzayedroad reached even terms with Reporting Star in deep stretch, inching ahead of that rival and getting to the line in the final strides over the fast-closing Dynamic Sky, ridden by Joel Rosario.??

“The race couldn’t have worked out any better,” said Lane. “(Sheikhzayedroad) was able to come around the reins-side all the way and when we straightened up he picked up all the way to the line for me.”

Sheikhzayedroad earned his fourth win in eight starts this year. Winner of the Dubai Duty Free Gulf World Cup in January going 10 furlongs at Meydan, Sheikhzayedroad won his last two starts, including the Group 2 Skybet York Stakes on 26th July at York in his previous race.

“Really pleased, lovely race to win,” said Simcock. “He is a grand horse and tries really hard. He has his quirks. He runs about a bit, but that’s normal for him. He did a lot worse when he was a younger horse, I assure you, and he never wins by far.

“He thinks he’s done enough once he’s got there. He’s terrific. He’s a traveller. He loves going to different places, Dubai, here and he’ll go elsewhere in the future.”??

Sheikhzayedroad could return to Woodbine soon.”We’ve got an option of the (Pattison Canadian) International on the 19th (of October). He’s got an entry the same day at Ascot. I’ll speak to his owner and decide where he is going. We’ll either come back here or go to Ascot and then he’ll go to Dubai and start his travels again.”