From its launch in 2010, Dubai’s sprawling Meydan Racecourse was known for its Tapeta racing surface, a mostly artificial compound made up of four to seven inches of sand, fibre, rubber and wax over a porous asphalt or geotextile membrane.
But for the coming season, beginning November 6 and including the US$10 million (Dh36.7m) Group 1 Dubai World Cup on the last Saturday of March, Meydan is going “old school”, with dirt on its main track.
The change had received mixed reaction among local trainers, but the fact remains Meydan will stage the highest number of meetings in the country, 19, ahead of Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali, Al Ain and Sharjah.
The 2,400-metre turf track remains unchanged. The highlight of the Meydan meetings is the Dubai World Cup Carnival, consisting of 11 meetings held over a three-month period for a total purse of $38m.
The season culminates on March 28 with the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest race meeting, with a prize fund of $29.5m spread across nine races, as well as the World Cup race itself.
The DWC Carnival offers trainers a comprehensive preparation programme, run on Meydan Racecourse’s dirt and turf tracks, for both Dubai World Cup day and the preceding Super Saturday on March 7, the dress rehearsal for the world’s richest race.
“With the milestone running of the 20th Dubai World Cup, we are entering a big season for Dubai Racing Club,” DRC’s International Manager Martin Talty said. “We are confident that we will be successful in attracting even greater numbers.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines
Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications
Company profile
Company name: Nestrom
Started: 2017
Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi
Based: Jordan
Sector: Technology
Initial investment: Close to $100,000
Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors
More from Neighbourhood Watch
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
