Simcock invades Canadian International with Desert Encounter

Trainer David Simcock, who won the 2014 edition of the Woodbine Mile, goes after a different Grade 1 trophy at the Toronto oval, this time with Desert Encounter in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International.

Four years ago, Simcock watched Trade Storm take top honors in the turf Mile at Woodbine. His day proved to be twice as nice when another trainee, Sheikhzayedroad, won the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf, earlier in the card.

On Saturday, his fortunes lie on the hooves of Desert Encounter, a seven-time winner that will make his first-ever start on Canadian turf.

Owned by Abudalla Al Mansoori, the Irish-bred has one win, a second and a third in three of his past four starts, as he sets course towards the International.

In 22 lifetime races, the six-year-old Halling gelding has seven wins, four seconds and five thirds. This season, he has one win, a second and a pair of thirds from seven starts.

“All his life, he has been a consistent horse,” said Simcock. “He was a late developer and only had two runs at two and he was lightly raced at three.”

This August, the Tally-Ho Stud-bred bay won the Sri Lanka August Stakes at Windsor, a 1 ¾-length victor in the 1 7/16-mile race. In his most recent start, Desert Encounter was third, but only a half-length out of first, in the Grade 3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup at Newbury on September 22. One year earlier, he won the race, a neck ahead of Second Step in the 1 3/8-mile event.

“He has run some good races in the right grade, had a couple of tough assignments early in the season,” said Simcock. “He has run two very good races in his last two starts.” 

Simcock sees the E.P. Taylor Turf Course as a perfect match for Desert Encounter.

“Woodbine is a flat, fair track and similar to European style courses, which is obviously a benefit for us,” he offered. “Desert Encounter is a kind horse. He is very straightforward to deal with.”

Jockey Andrea Atzeni will be in the irons for the International, as Desert Encounter looks to become the first six-year-old to win the race since Joshua Tree accomplished the feat in 2013.

EARLY LOOK AT THE GRADE 1 PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL (13)

Horse – Owner – Trainer – Jockey

Arklow – Donegal Racing, Bulger, Joseph and Coneway, Peter – Brad H. Cox – TBA

Bandua – Calumet Farm – Jack Sisterson – Adam Beschizza

Desert Encounter (IRE) – Abdulla Al Mansoori – David Simcock – Andrea Atzeni

English Illusion – 4U Thoroughbred Racing Stable Inc. – Sylvain Pion – Rafael Hernandez

Focus Group – Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence – Chad C. Brown – Jose Ortiz

Funtastic – Three Chimneys Farm – Chad C. Brown – John Velazquez

Johnny Bear – Colebrook Farms and Bear Stables, Ltd. – Ashlee Brnjas – Luis Contreras

Khan (GER) – Darius Racing – Henk Grewe – Clement Lecoeuvre

Markitoff – Three Diamonds Farm – Michael J. Maker – Irad Ortiz Jr.

Mekhtaal (GB) – Al Shaqab Racing – H. Graham Motion – Alan Garcia

Spring Quality – Augustin Stable – H. Graham Motion – Edgar Prado

Thundering Blue – Clive Washbourn – David Menuisier – Fran Berry

Tiz a Slam – Chiefswood Stable – Roger L. Attfield – Steve Bahen