DUBAI // The world's richest horse race will be run on a synthetic track for the first time this season as Dubai Racing Club announced that a tapeta surface would be installed at the landmark Meydan development.
The Dubai World Cup, held on March 27, 2010 and worth a record US$10 million (Dh36.7m), was widely expected to be run on tapeta after a training track of the same surface was installed at the end of last season. The announcement marks the end of the dirt racing era at Nad al Sheba, although racing will still take place on the horseshoe-shaped dirt at Jebel Ali.
Tapeta, latin for carpet, will cover the 1,750m all-weather track and is positioned inside the new turf track.
"The tapeta surface has proven to be safe and reliable and has shown outstanding durability in this climate, having already been in place at the Meydan training track," said the Dubai Racing Club (DRC) chief executive, Frank Gabriel Jnr. "We look forward to a brand new era of racing at the upcoming 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival and the Dubai World Cup with this new all-weather surface course."
The UAE has followed the move away from dirt tracks which began in the US, as synthetic surfaces are considered by many to be safer for horses.
Trainer, Mike de Kock, has long supported a synthetic track at Meydan. "Whatever they put in will be better than the dirt that was there before which was not kind to horses," he said. "A synthetic surface will also attract more top-quality trainers from Europe to the UAE, and you always want to test your horses against the best in the world."
There are still a number of big European races before the racing world's attention focuses back on Dubai for the winter season and UAE connections are in action today as they compete at Newmarket. Godolphin saddle three in the Group Three Nayef Joel Stakes, with Frankie Dettori riding first choice, Rio de la Plata, who has a lot to prove after a finishing 10 of 10 on his last Listed mile outing at Haydock following 14 months off.
A 2008 Group One horse, Rio de la Plata is well-regarded by Godolphin and was said by racing manager Simon Crisford to have struggled with soft going. Ted Durcan rides Donativum while Ahmed Ajtebi starts on Young Pretender.
stregoning@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now