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Grade 1 glory for Desert Encounter
14 October 2018
TRILLIUM Place is celebrating a Grade 1 triumph this morning thanks to Desert Encounter.
The evergreen campaigner led home a British one-two in the Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine.
Now six, the Abdulla Al Mansoori-owned gelding secured his first win at the highest level, beating the favourite Thundering Blue by a length.
Jockey Andrea Atzeni settled him towards the rear of the 11-runner field in the early part of the mile and a half race before launching a decisive challenge from over two furlongs out.
Desert Encounter made steady progress before engaging in a thrilling head to head battle with Thundering Blue.
Trainer David Simcock’s charge got the upper hand in the final furlong and stayed on in good style to score by a length.
David said: “He settled well and Andrea made his move at exactly the right time. He made a decision to pull out wide and got the gap.
“The horse picked up well and saw it out well. He has been a very solid campaigner for the last two or three seasons – and he has improved. At the age of six he looks better than ever.”
