Officials at Meydan Racecourse might transfer the Dubai Golden Shaheen
(UAE-G1), part of the Dubai World Cup night card, to the new racing venue’s turf
course, Racing Post reports.
Inaugurated in 1996, the 1,200-meter dash had been contested solely over a
straight-ahead dirt course at now-closed Nad al Sheba. Horses competing over
that distance on Meydan’s Tapeta all-weather track will be required to go around
a turn. Should officials decide to move the Golden Shaheen to turf, the race
could keep its straight-ahead format.
“Regarding the Golden Shaheen, we have to change the surface as we no longer
have a dirt track, but to move it to turf is a big decision,” Frank Gabriel, CEO
of the Dubai Racing Club, told the trade daily. “However, that option does keep
the race on a straight track.”
Horses from the United States have won 10 of 14 runnings of the Golden
Shaheen, including the last six renewals.
“Obviously, we are considering input from the industry before we make a final
decision,” Gabriel added. “The (Dubai) World Cup itself will be contested on a
new surface, and we hope it will attract a worldwide entry.
“The last two Breeders’ Cup Classics (G1) have been on a synthetic surface
and attracted extra European interest. That could be a coincidence, but is most
probably surface-related.”