Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, the daughter of Shamardal finished runner-up on all three starts last season, chasing home yesterday’s G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Soliloquy on her debut at Ascot before finishing just over two lengths adrift of future Listed Montrose Stakes winner Hadith at Nottingham in October.

With an official mark of 83, Sheikha Reika did not boast the highest rating in this 14-strong line-up but she proved herself to be a class apart from her rivals, sitting behind the leaders under Andrea Atzeni before being produced to challenge approaching the Dip.

Sheikha Reika scooted clear once asked to quicken inside the final quarter mile and she never looked like being collared thereafter, winning by a pushed-out three lengths from Ocala with a further six lengths back to Maid Up in third.

An own-sister to G1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Lumiere, Sheikha Reika is a tall filly with plenty of substance and she looks just the type to continue improving throughout the year as she matures physically.

Roger said: “Sheikha Reika ran some good races behind nice fillies last year and she is a stronger model this time around. The drop back in trip proved no hindrance here, but she won’t mind returning to a mile either, and she looks a filly with lots of potential. I hope she can go on to bigger and better things now.”