Dubai - Arabstoday
Meydan racecourse stages a cracking six-race card tomorrow afternoon, with the UAE 1000 Guineas and Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint the pick of the action. While the former, a 1600m event restricted to three-year-old fillies is the first Classic of the seasons it is the 1200m Sprint that looks the premier race of the day. It has attracted a field of 14 runners headed by Singapore speedball Captain Obvious, who is expected to start as the favourite. Tomorrow's card also includes the Meydan Classic Trial will be run over 1400m on the turf. Article continues below All six races are sponsored by Gulf News, a pillar partner of the Dubai World Cup Carnival since its inception in 2004 and the Dubai World Cup meeting from the inaugural running in 1996. Each race being named after one of its titles — Freehold Trophy, Xpress, Classifieds and Tabloid. Meydan's Chairman of the Board and CEO Saeed Al Tayer said: "We are pleased to once again welcome Gulf News as sponsors to what will be an exciting programme of racing. "The support of Gulf News as a pillar partner is vital as Meydan works to promote a wide range of equestrian sports and equine pursuits. "We thank Gulf News for their partnership and support of racing and Meydan." Duleep George, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Gulf News, added: "We are looking forward to our sponsored Race Meeting on Friday [tomorrow], especially with the three patterned races making for such an exciting card. "Gulf News is proud to be Pillar Partner with the Meydan Group and to be thus associated with prestigious international events like the forthcoming Dubai World Cup". Gulf News also sponsors an evening of horse racing at Nad Al Sheba, with each race being named after one of its titles UAE-trained horses have an awesome record in the Al Shindagha Sprint winning it six times since the race was first run in 2000 at Nad Al Sheba racecourse. No jockey has won the race twice while former UAE-based Englishman Paddy Rudkin holds the distinction of being the only trainer to have achieved the feat when he scored with Snow Kid in 2000 and Mutamayyaz the following year. Godolphin-trained horses have a phenomenal record in the UAE 1000 Guineas with seven wins in 11 runnings of the race since 2001. Bin Surour was responsible for all those successes, but it is his Godolphin workmate Mahmoud Al Zarouni who looks to have the best credentials to win this year's renewal with the flying filly Gamilati. From gulfnews