Excitement builds ahead of Dubai World Cup Carnival

Anticipation levels are growing as the start of the Dubai World Cup Carnival draws closer.The Middle East's showpiece horse racing event will get underway tomorrow (January 10th) and visitors will be treated to some top quality encounters.With $250,000 set to be given to the winner, the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 will be the standout race on the opening night.Some of the most promising thoroughbreds in the world will compete in what is sure to be a thrilling race.Plenty of international companies are backing the festival, which is hardly surprising given the prestigious nature of the racing extravaganza.The opening night will be presented by esteemed Swiss watch making firm Longines and bosses at the organisation are looking forward to the occasion."We are proud to be again the official timekeeper for the Dubai World Cup Carnival, culminating in the famous day of racing, the Dubai World Cup," commented Longines vice president of sales Charles Villoz."In the framework of our partnership with Meydan Group, we are excited to experience the thrill of the races at the amazing Meydan Racecourse."The Dubai World Cup is undoubtedly the main event and this will get underway on March 30th.It will be the 18th edition of the famous race and Meydan Racecourse will be heaving.Obviously, punters will be hoping to back a few winners throughout the festival and there is one particular trainer who is in very good form.Singapore-based Steven Burridge had the best strike rate at the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival and some of his horses will be well backed again this year.He will bring Benji's Empire, Tiger Stripes, Devil's Cut and Freezemaster to the 2013 racing festival and the trainer has high hopes for all of them.Benji's Empire and Freezemaster will run at the opening meeting tomorrow, while Devil's Cut and stablemate Tiger Stripes are expected to race at the second event on January 17th.