By Trevor Sturgess

Picadilly Filly, a Kent-based racehorse, is going under starters orders this weekend at the world’s richest meeting.

The four-year old, trained at Saywell Farm Stables in Wormshill, near Sittingbourne, has been chosen from 170 contenders to run in the prestigious Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai on Saturday (March 26).

She flew out from Manchester last Sunday to prepare for the invitation-only 1,000-metre event on Dubai World Cup day - the world’s richest prize money meeting.

The invitation caps a good run by the rising star. She has notched up several firsts and last year ran well in Chantilly, France. She came third in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at the York Festival.

The sprinter is one of 30 horses based at Saywell Farm and trained by Irishman Eddie Creighton.

He said: "Her performances last season were brilliant. She’s now in the top class.

"It’s good for Saywell Farm and good for Kent to be involved in such a big event. I think she’s one of the first Kent horses to be in the World Cup."

If she comes in the first six, she will win a share of the million dollar prize money for her owners, a good return on the £9,500 she cost. She is now said to be worth £1 million.

Eddie’s son Eddie Jnr, 26, is riding the filly. He usually rides for prolific owner and former England footballer Mick Channon and has already notched up 250 wins.

Eddie admits that a top six place is a tough ask but is quietly confident.

He said: "We’re up against it. We’re taking on the best in the world but we’ve got as good a chance as any. I think we have a good chance because she’s in really good form."

The event is being screened live on British television.