BEAUTIFULLY bred two-year-old Desert Sheik, who had failed narrowly to win his 1400m debut, made amends when running powerfully to defeat Gemmayze Street in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1450m at Turffontein’s inside track, Saturday.

The winning margin of half a length flattered the runner-up as Desert Sheik had beaten a wide draw, and he won with something in hand.

“It’s nice when they jump well and Desert Sheik was out fast,” said jockey Anthony Delpech, who got his mount onto the rail after a few hundred metres. “The leader slammed on the breaks, but we were well positioned and he kicked on nicely. I think he is a lovely horse.”

Desert Sheik is a chestnut by Trippi from Saudies and races in the silks of Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud, in partnership with Mike de Kock, Bernard Kantor, Ingrid and Markus Jooste.