THE Dubai World Cup day Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint has been increased in distance from 1000m to 1200m on the turf 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 announced today by Meydan Group, the 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.

Shea Shea won the 2013 Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint for Mike de Kock.

Trainers opting for the 1000m turf dash still have the option of three handicap races before the running of the Group 3 $175,000 Meydan Sprint held on Thursday February 16.

The 1200m turf campaign now runs alongside the dirt programme over the same trip with those following a campaign benefitting from five build-up races including the Group 3 $200,000 Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday prior to the Group 1 $2m Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup day.

The Dubai World Cup Carnival, which gets underway on Thursday January 5, 2017 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 Group Purebred Arabian 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 ten meetings up to and including Super Saturday.