Top Indian trainer S Padmanabhan will claim a slice of UAE racing history when he saddles the first ever runners from the sub-continent at tomorrow's Dubai Racing Carnival meeting.

Padmanabhan, who has won 32 Classics and 66 Graded races, runs Classical Act in the Al Rostamani Stakes over 1600 metres on dirt and Zurbaran in the Al Rostamani Plate over 2000 metres.

Both horses are bred in India and have arrived in Dubai after meeting the international quarantine requirements.

"We're really excited to be here," said Padmanabhan yesterday. "My horses spent four weeks in Santa Anita after going through six days of quarantine procedures.

"They have taken the travel well and are ready to give a good account of themselves tomorrow."

Classical Act, a five-year-old son of American stallion Placerville was bred at the Poona Stud Farm, while Zurbaran, also by an American stallion Peaks And Valleys, was bred at Ramdev Stud.

As his name suggests Classical Act is the winner of the Grade 2 Indian St. Leger at Bangalore and the Grade 2 RWITC Invitational Trophy at Pune. He has won five of his 10 career starts. He is owned by India's leading owner-breeder Vijay Mallaya.

Zurbaran is perhaps the more experienced of the Indian pair having had 16 career starts for nine wins. Five of these came last season where he won Grade 1 St. Leger and the Grade 2 Maharaja's Cup at Hyderabad.

"Both the horses have cut impressive timings in workouts at Santa Anita and at Dubai yesterday," said Padmanabhan, a frequent visitor to the emirate.

"I have to mention that their four-week stay in Santa Anita was very crucial to their development. Paddy (Gallagher), who is a good friend of mine, looked after them as if they were his own horses and kept them ticking and race fit. They both are ready to run."