Sharestan just hung on under Kieren Fallon to claim the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.
The Group Three feature was reduced to just three runners, with major players Hillstar and Remote taken out on account of the ground, which was officially soft, heavy in places.
In their absence, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Sharestan was sent off at odds-on and took over from reluctant leader Top Notch Tonto rounding the home turn after a pedestrian early gallop.
Confirmed mudlark Top Notch Tonto threw down his challenge but found the petrol tank eventually running on empty and it was Sheikhzayedroad who came between horses to pose a big threat.
The pair flashed past the post as one and it needed the judge to call Fallon's mount (5-6) as the winner.
Bin Suroor said: "He has improved, last year he always carried some condition but his last three pieces of work have been much better than what he did last year.
"We gelded him, and the key has been the ground as he loves soft ground.
"A mile and a half will be better for him and the Hardwicke Stakes is his target."
