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Dubai’s Al Quoz Sprint has been increased in distance from 1000m to 1200m creating dual turf and dirt 1200m sprint divisions across the Dubai World Cup Carnival and Dubai World Cup.

In one of a number of changes the G1 turf sprint, won in 2016 by Australian star Buffering, now represents the culmination of a newly-implemented 1200m turf division featuring five key carnival handicaps and including the new $200,000 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Super Saturday.

Trainers opting for the 1000m turf dash still have the option of three handicap races before the running of the G3 $175,000 Meydan Sprint held on February 16.

The 1200m turf campaign now runs alongside the dirt program over the same trip with those following a campaign benefitting from five build-up races including the G3 $200,000 Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday prior to the G1 $2m Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup day.

The Dubai World Cup Carnival, which gets underway on Thursday January 5 and features 10 meetings prior to Dubai World Cup day, has received a prize money boost for the 2017 season.

There is now a total purse of $10,925,000 across 61 thoroughbred and four Purebred Arabian Group races held outside Dubai World Cup day.

The minimum purse offered for a carnival race now rises to $100,000 following the $467,500 increase over the 10 meetings up to and including Super Saturday.

In other changes, the Curlin Handicap, a 2000m dirt race used as prep for the 2016 Dubai World Cup by this year’s winner, California Chrome, has been upgraded to a Listed contest.

Among the stayers’ divisions, the 2810m turf handicap, previously held in the first week of February, has been brought forward to the second Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting in January and a new 3200m handicap inserted into the programme in its stead, giving trainers the option of prepping for the G2 Dubai Gold Cup held over the same trip on Dubai World Cup day or targeting the 2810m G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on February 23.

The Meydan stables open to international horses on December 15 in readiness for the first Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting four weeks later.