Plans to build London City Racecourse at Fairlop Waters, a racetrack designed for evening racing with a dirt track, were expected to receive preliminary approval on Monday from the British Horseracing Board (BHB).

Located in Redbridge, a short distance from London, the track is expected to open for business in 2002, barring any development problems, and feature a dirt track measuring 1 ¼ miles in circumference. A total of 31 race dates has been proposed and racing would be conducted at the track on Thursday evenings, the Morning-Telegraph reports.

The track is expected to raise the profile of dirt racing in England, and will serve as prime training ground for horsemen prepping for the Breeders' Cup in North America and Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) program in the United Arab Emirates.

The track would be the first in the greater-London area since Alexandra Park, known as "Ally Pally," closed in 1970.

The BHB also was expected to approve new tracks for Pembrey in South Wales and Newcastle.