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Runners and riders look forward to second Chengdu race day

Some of the jockeys to compete for the the Chengdu Dubai International Cup in Chengdu on Friday. [Photo by Peng Chao/chinadaily.com.cn]

A dozen jockeys who took part in the United Arab Emirates racing season will be in action when the Chengdu Dubai International Cup Wenjiang-Meydan Classic runs on Friday.

The event takes place for a second year at Jinma Racecourse in the Wenjiang district of Chengdu, Sichuan province, with the 12 jockeys contesting five race on around 50 horses in pursuit of a total purse of 3.75 million yuan ($599,600).

The 1,400 meter Wenjiang Sprint, 1,600m Guangsha Mile and 2,418m Meydan Handicap, each carries prize money of 500,000 yuan, according to organizers.

The 1,600m Wenjiang Meydan Classic is worth 750,000 yuan and the final race, the 2,218 m Chengdu Dubai international, is the day's richest carrying a purse of 1.5 million yuan.

British jockey Royston Ffrench, who won the first and last races last year, is excited to return to Wenjiang. "The facilities are great. I'm feeling great and I will try my best to win more races," he said.

Trainer Erwan Charpy loves the place because he had his 500th win during last year's competition. "The horse which won the race last year doesn't come this year, but I bring better and more horses," he said, adding that he is confident of a better result.

Bhupat Seemar, another trainer, said the weather in Wenjiang is very good for the races. "The horses look like they enjoy being here," he said.

Last year's event made Chengdu the first foreign city to stage the Dubai International Cup outside the UAE.

The Jinma Racecourse is where the China Equestrian Festival has been held for the past four years.

Trainers Erwan Charpy, left, and Bhupat Seemar are hoping to be in the winners' circle in Chengdu. [Photo by Peng Chao/chinadaily.com.cn]