From its launch in 2010, Dubai’s sprawling Meydan Racecourse was known for its Tapeta racing surface, a mostly artificial compound made up of four to seven inches of sand, fibre, rubber and wax over a porous asphalt or geotextile membrane.
But for the coming season, beginning November 6 and including the US$10 million (Dh36.7m) Group 1 Dubai World Cup on the last Saturday of March, Meydan is going “old school”, with dirt on its main track.
The change had received mixed reaction among local trainers, but the fact remains Meydan will stage the highest number of meetings in the country, 19, ahead of Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali, Al Ain and Sharjah.
The 2,400-metre turf track remains unchanged. The highlight of the Meydan meetings is the Dubai World Cup Carnival, consisting of 11 meetings held over a three-month period for a total purse of $38m.
The season culminates on March 28 with the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest race meeting, with a prize fund of $29.5m spread across nine races, as well as the World Cup race itself.
The DWC Carnival offers trainers a comprehensive preparation programme, run on Meydan Racecourse’s dirt and turf tracks, for both Dubai World Cup day and the preceding Super Saturday on March 7, the dress rehearsal for the world’s richest race.
“With the milestone running of the 20th Dubai World Cup, we are entering a big season for Dubai Racing Club,” DRC’s International Manager Martin Talty said. “We are confident that we will be successful in attracting even greater numbers.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
