January 27 - Great numbers of horseracing fans are expected to turn out in Dubai tomorrow night (Thursday, January 28) for the grand opening of state-of-the-art horseracing venue, Meydan Racecourse - which replaced the region's old Nad Al Sheba Racecourse - to enjoy the evening's 8-race card.

The feature race of the night will be the $200,000 Maktoum Challenge (Gr 3), which should serve as a showcase for talented thoroughbreds from across the United Arab Emirates. Some could even run down the road in two of Dubai's most famous races, the Dubai World Cup and the Godolphin Mile.

For months racing fans in Dubai have been eager to see the new multi-million dollar Meydan Racecourse which boasts a turf track as well as a Tapeta synthetic track. The complex also includes hotel, restaurant and conference facilities, as well as a 1.2 km grandstand which can hold 60,000 spectators.

Many of Dubai's 'heavy hitters' are expected to run in the Maktoum Challenge including Midshipman and My Indy who are both owned by Godolphin racing. In Last year's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita Park in California, Midshipman came third. He'll be ridden by champion jockey Frankie Dettori.

Midshipman will no doubt be well backed tomorrow, however he'll have to overcome a wide draw as he'll start from post 14. My Indy is unproven on synthetic surfaces, but won this race last year on Nad Al Sheba's dirt track. He'll be making his first start since coming fifth in the 2009 Dubai World Cup.

Another contender is Gloria de Campea, who finished second in last year's Dubai World Cup. But like My Indy, he is also unproven on synthetic surfaces. Bred in Brazil, Gloria went on to win the Singapore Airlines International Cup (Gr 1), but could manage a seventh place finish in his most recent race.

Also in with a shot is Tam Lin who won the 2008 Kelso Handicap and went on to finish second in the Poker Handicap (Gr 3) and Fort Marcy Handicap (Gr 3) in New York last year under the guidance of Saeed bin Suroor. However, Thursday's race will be his first for new trainer Mubarak bin Shafya.