Multiple Gr1 winner & 2004 Caulfield Cup hero Elvstroem (9 wins & 7 placings in 26 starts for $3,916,600 prize-money) is set to take on a world class field in tonight's US$2m Gr1 Dubai Duty Free (1777m on turf). In doing so, Elvstroem becomes the first Australian representative in the 10 year history of this particular race; New Zealand having been represented in 2001 by the mighty Sunline. It's fair to say that the dirt races assume a large proportion of the evening programme but that doesn't detract from the turf challenges: I was there for last year's history making dead heat between the British runner Right Approach and the German runner Paolini in the Dubai Duty Free and the 20 minutes that it took the judge to make the final decision is a buzz I certainly won't be forgetting in a hurry.

Australia has had a handful of other thoroughbred representatives travel to Dubai to compete over the last decade:

G1 Dubai World Cup: Danewin [1996], Juggler [1997]
G1 Sheema Classic: Ihtiyati [1998]
G1 Golden Shaheen: Dantelah & Notoire [2000], Bomber Bill [2001] and Belle de Jour [2003].
G2 Godolphin Mile: Firebreak [2003]

Meanwhile, whilst the global racing media focus on the world's richest race day, the United Arab Emirates are using the Dubai World Cup to market more than racing. If you don't know about The Palm- then the following information may be of interest:

The Palm involves the creation of the world's largest two man-made islands known as The Palm, Jumeirah and The Palm, Jebel Ali. The Palm comprises approximately 100 million cubic meters of rock and sand; the islands together will eventually support over 60 luxury hotels, 4000 exclusive residential beachside villas, over 5,000 shoreline apartments, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities, health spas, dive sites and cinemas. Located just off the coast of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the two palm tree shaped islands are expected to contribute to Dubai's position as a premier global tourist destination. The project will increase Dubai's shoreline by a total of 120km and create a large number of residential, leisure and entertainment opportunities.

The vision of The Palm was conceived by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister. The concept of the palm tree shaped islands was inspired by Dubai's own heritage, with the palm tree and water long considered the most important sources of food, shelter and trade for Dubai. Construction commenced in June 2001 after many years of research and planning. Each island took approximately two years to be completely raised from the sea. A further two to three years are then required to complete the infrastructure and the buildings. The end-result will be the creation of two virtually self-contained communities within the islands. With the 3.7 square miles of trunk and fronds intact, The Palm is said to be visible from the moon.

An architectural site - Glass Steel and Stone said of the development: "Architects, developers, real estate moguls, and egomaniacs all try to use architecture to make their mark on the world. They do it with soaring towers, majestic spans, and glittering facades. But when taken from a global perspective, rarely do these construction literally make a mark on the world. Palm Island is an exception. The development in the Gulf of Arabia is actually large enough to be seen from space. Some claim it's visible from the moon, but so far no one has tested that theory. The island is actually more of an artificial reef curving around a multi-branched jetty. The effect is the outline of a palm leaf in the water. On these spits and arcs of land sit luxury homes, apartments, and hotel for those who can afford it."

The development ran into a bit of a snag earlier this year. The devastation of the tsunami in South East Asia made the prospect of a low lying residential area (albeit a few thousand kilometres West) a touch difficult to promote. To make things worse, a 30 knot North by North Westerly Al Shamal had raced over the beaches of Dubai and the UAE shoreline on January 11 causing substantial damage to parts of the coastline. The PR agency (hired to circumnavigate [no pun intended] such disasters) set to work. 40 journalists from the UAE were therefore taken on a boat trip around the breakwaters of The Palm, Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali and The World to review for themselves the strength of the breakwaters that defended the coastal projects - their guide none other than Nakheel, the leading property developers.

The tour gave the PR Agency full reign to wax lyrical about the outer perimeter of the breakwater and the rocks which have been strategically placed to absorb waves reaching four metres in height. In addition to the breakwater the press heard about employment by Nakheel's engineers of the latest techniques and technology for wave energy dispersal and how it is deployed below sea level.

Impressive stuff - but hardly surprising when you consider the sort of money tied up in the project and the sort of buyers Dubai hopes to attract. Soccer megastars David Beckham and Michael Owen, along with 10 other England footballers, 1 physio and 1 coach, have already bought residential villas on The Palm. In addition, Nakheel LLC and Kerzner International Limited (NYSE: KZL) formed a joint venture to develop Atlantis, The Palm, which will ultimately include a 2,000-room resort and water theme park. Atlantis, The Palm will be located at the center of The Palm, Jumeirah. The first phase of Atlantis, The Palm is an estimated $650 million development project that is expected to include a 1,000-room hotel and water theme park situated on 1.5 miles of beachfront.

On 16 March the South China Morning Post reported that all 780 luxury apartments at the flagship Golden Mile [the 'trunk' of The Palm] were snapped up in 48 hours when the project opened for sale in May last year. Since the project's launch, prices have jumped an amazing 60% to US$320 p/square foot. Media reports suggests more than 80% of apartments sold last year went to speculators. Meanwhile advertisements continue to appear in newspapers across the globe. British buyers in particular are buying on spec.

The biggest project is yet to come. Modestly called The World, this will be a group of 250 man-made islands forming the shape of the five continents. They are to be launched in the New Year, but FPDSavills is already receiving "interest" from individuals - one of whom wanted written confirmation that there would be "only one World". Islands will sell, estimates FPDSavills, for £5 million to £6 million each.

The developer has already admitted that The World will only be offered to a very selective group of elite people. Background first; money second.

The Islands, west of the Palm Jumeirah and farther out to sea, will range from 250,000sq ft to 900,000 sq ft. Zoning work is being carried out and height restrictions will be imposed on properties, but once reclamation work is complete in 2006, island owners will be able to do as they wish. They can create a very private home - or their own country. The World's promotional video suggests the option of a Cuba-themed island and shows a virtual "Havana Club" with 1950s Buicks pulling up outside.