Fashion queens will be in spotlight at sport of kings

Star spotters at tonight's Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba are likely to be disappointed. For the organisers of the world's richest horse race believe the event has come of age and is now big enough to stand on its own four feet without the aid of film and music stars specially brought for the event.

Only Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been named in advance as attending. But then he's a self-confessed horse racing fan anyway. But just because they haven't been invited it doesn't mean that the stars will stay away. Some may come under their own steam to watch some of the world's best race horses battle for some of the richest prizes in racing.

For residents of Dubai the Dubai World Cup, since its inauguration in 1996, has established itself as THE social event on the year in Dubai. As each year has gone by the fashion stakes have become just as competitive as the racing. What people wear is as important as who they are. Sartorial success will be just as important as picking out the winners of each of the seven races.

It may not quite be Ascot, yet, but there is every likelihood that the International Village, as well as the more public areas, will be a sea of hats and designer dresses. This year, as in previous years, extravagant prizes will be awarded to the Best Dressed Lady and runner-up. Contestants will be judged on elegance, style and consistency. There will also be a prize for the best hat.

Other prizes on offer are Dh100,000 to anyone who can pick the winners of all seven races, Dh25,000 for race goers who pick the first and second horses in two consecutive races, one million Emirates Skywards Miles in a Dh 10 a ticket raffle which will benefit the Riding for the Disabled Association in Dubai, an S-Type Jaguar for the winner of a Dh10,30,000 ticket raffle and a Bentley Arnage, the prize in the Dh500 a ticket Dubai World Cup Finest Surprise draw organised by Dubai Duty Free.

The Dubai World Cup is first and foremost a horse race meeting but for many at Nad Al Sheba tonight the racing will be secondary. Being there and being seen is what it will be all about for many spectators. It may be the sport of kings but it will be the queens of fashion who will be catching the eye. The organisers are hoping that more than 40,000 people will attend, including many people who are in Dubai for the Dubai Shopping Festival.

They'll also be keeping their fingers crossed that there won't be a repeat of what happened in 1997, when a storm turned Nadd Al Sheba into a swamp. Then the meeting had to be rescheduled a few days later. My tip for the World Cup? Hightori, the French raider trained by Philippe Demercastel.