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SHEIKHZAYEDROAD will take in a racecourse gallop this week as part of his preparation before flying out to Dubai.
The evergreen Trillium Place star is bound for Chelmsford on Thursday – an important work-out ahead of his racecourse return at Meydan on February 23.
The eight-year-old Dubawi gelding is due to start his campaign in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, a mile-and-six furlong race that he won last year.
Connections will be hoping Sheikzayedroad can continue in the vein that saw him win the British Champions Long-Distance Cup last October.
Trainer David Simcock said: “Sheikhzayedroad goes for a racecourse gallop this week.
“He didn’t come in until late off his break, which slightly concerns me.
“He finished on Champions Day at Ascot and then went out for six weeks.
“He didn’t start back trotting until the second week of December, which is a little tight.
“But he is in good order and will go to Dubai where he will run in the Group 3 to prep him for the Dubai Gold Cup (on World Cup night, March 25).”
Closer to home, David is expecting to have a steady succession of runners from Trillium Place through February.
The stable has made a very bright start to 2017, racking up 10 winners in January alone. The success has continued in February with Starboard and Veena both scoring already this month.
David added: “I’m delighted with the start to the year. We knew we would have a good January but even so, it’s always nice when the horses are winning.”