The capital's first race of the 2000-01 racing season gets off the starter's block at 6pm today even though the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse is in the middle of a facelift.

As has been the practice here, the card will feature four races for Purebred Arabians and two for thoroughbreds. The feature race of the evening is the Dh52,000 five-furlong sprint for Purebred Arabians.

Although only five runners have accepted the race could produced a close finish with Mushaagib and Hafid Du Bac likely to be the main contenders.
After three impressive wins last season, Mushaagib disappointed over a mile at Nad Al Sheba in the season opener earlier this month.

But having been dropped back in distance to five furlongs, it might prove to the liking for the 6-year-old and his champion jockey Ted Durcan.
Going in with the highest rating of 122, Mushaagib could make amends for that loss to Ezil at Nad Al Sheba but will have to be at his best to beat Erwan Charpy's Hafid Du Bac.

A consistent performer Hafid Du Bac finished fifth behind Mushaagib at Ghantoot in April last season but is reportedly training well and with Seb Sanders aboard can be expected to make things happen at the finish.

Octave, who won in Jebel Ali earlier this season, looks good to repeat in today's feature event for thoroughbreds.
But top weight Lancewood, ridden by Durcan can prevent Octave from repeating his impressive win with Chief's Dream also capable of finishing in the frame.

Abu Dhabi-based trainers Julian Smart and Yancey Carter Jr. are expected to have a strong hand in the evening's third race for UAE-bred maidens.
Smart send out Sehool, to be ridden by Ted Durcan, while Carter saddles Sadiq to be ridden by big race rider Willie Ryan.

Adrian Lee is well represented with three horses with Ajib and Fayeq expected to give Sadiq and Sehool a close run.
Mesozoic, who disappointed in his last start at Nad Al Sheba, is expected to reverse the form in today's first race for thoroughbreds, over 7 furlongs.