HEAVY rain on Tuesday night has led to the Nad Al Sheba executive closing the sand track just days before the Dubai World Cup on Saturday.
The sandtrack was sealed - a process which involves rolling it to ensure that water is diverted into the drainage system.
There have been some doubts about the world's richest race going ahead, but officials are quietly confident that the meeting will take place.
Kevin Greely, the racing secretary, said: "Weather permitting, we hope to reopen the sand track today when we should have a fast track. It should be perfect on the day and the horses should be able to grab hold of the surface."
John Gosden decided against using the turf course at Nad Al Sheba and travelled Flemensfirth to Jebel Ali racecourse to do a steady canter instead.
The closure of the sand course caused Mark Johnston, the trainer of Bijou d'Inde, obvious frustration as the Royal Ascot winner has had to miss his intended gallop for two weeks running.
"I could have done a lot more with him, " said Johnston. "I'm getting cold feet about organising anything else as it is so close to the race."
The Richard Mandella-trained favourites, Siphon and Sandpit, took full advantage of the turf facility to do some work.
