Dubai upgrades some stakes

The Emirates Racing Authority this week announced upgrades to group stakes races to be held during 2012 in Dubai, with three Group 2 races attaining Group 1 status next year.

The Al Quoz Sprint, part of the Dubai World Cup, was boosted from Group 2 to Group 1 by the local racing authority, giving World Cup Night five Group 1 races. Also moved from Group 2 to Group 1 classification were the the Al Maktoum Challenge Round III and the Jebel Hatta, both of which are part of Meydan’s Super Saturday program, the March 10 lead-in to the March 31 World Cup in 2012.

With the changes, the United Arab Emirates now hosts 26 Group races, including seven Group 1 events.