Dubai: After much speculation and anticipation, Meydan Racecourse unveils a new dirt track when it hosts its first meeting of the new season on Thursday, a six-race card wholly sponsored by long-term ally Emirates Airline.

The occasion marks one of the most important strategic shifts by the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA), the governing body for horse racing in the UAE, as it endeavours to proffer a more universally attractive racing surface.

The conventional dirt track replaces the synthetic surface that was in place from 2010 and early 2014.

Frank Gabriel Jr, the Dubai Racing Club’s Executive Director of Racing, who oversaw two dirt trials at Meydan on Tuesday, said the early reviews from jockeys and trainers were positive and that there was a lot to look forward to.

“The feedback from trainers and jockeys has been positive and we are excited about the new season,” Gabriel said.

“This is an important season for us as we will stage the 20th running of the Dubai World Cup and we look forward to welcoming top international horses to compete on the surface during the Dubai World Cup Carnival and on Dubai World Cup day.”

Commenting on the track Gabriel added: “It’s a conventional dirt track that is made up of 88 per cent sand and 12 per cent silt and clay.

“The set-up and design is different to the tapeta [synthetic track] and like anything, its got to mature and can only get better and better.

“The maturity will give it a little more speed and it’s just a matter of keeping it conditioned.”

Considering the newness of the track, it is expected to run on the slow side, but former two-time champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihie will be hoping to get off to a quick start when he saddles some leading chances led by the three-time UAE scorer Ghaamer in one of the two featured Emirates Airline Handicaps.

Run over 1,400 metres, the concluding event on the card has attracted 11 runners including the Ridha Ben Attia-trained Alnashmy, a dual winner for former UAE Champion Jockey Wayne Smith in 2012.

Smith said: “The trainer sounds hopeful and thinks the horse is going to run a big race. The surface should suit him and it will be nice to get back on him.”

Doug Watson, another former UAE champion who saddles Shamaal Nibras over Ostaad, said: “Both are pleasing us at home and we hope will run well

“Shamaal Nibras ran well at Jebel Ali twice last season and works well on the dirt at home. Ostaad also handles it nicely in the mornings and looks well weighted.”

Watson also offered some insight into the dirt track having watched his horses excel in Tuesday’s trials.

“I was ecstatic to hear of the return to dirt,” said Red Stables maestro. “It seems to ride really well and the kick-back wasn’t too bad either.

“We have horses in the yard who should suit this surface and I’m happy to run on it on Thursday.”

The preceding race is the Dh125,000 Emirates Airline Handicap over 1,900 metres, for which eight have been declared, including the Satish Seemar-trained duo Antinori and Pisco Sour.

“They should both run well,” said stable jockey Richard Mullen, who rides the former. “They work on dirt every day and seem to handle it well. It is a good race but hopefully we will be competitive.”

Thursday’s card also features three more handicap events and a race for maidens, which opens the proceedings.