Racing: Kinane arrives at decision

AFTER a weekend in which both Michael Kinane and a verdict on whether he will ride for Sheikh Mohammed remained up in the air, an announcement of his decision is expected today.

The Irishman travelled from Hong Kong to Britain where he spent a night discussing terms with the Sheikh's advisers, but flight delays resulted in the journey taking 26 hours. As soon as the talks were over he headed back to Hong Kong for eight rides yesterday. Unsurprisingly, his intention was to sleep on a verdict.

'There will be no decision until tomorrow,' Kinane said from Hong Kong yesterday. 'It will be announced through the proper channel.' The proper medium in this case will via a statement released by the Sheikh's Darley Stud.

Kinane was offered the retainer when talks with Steve Cauthen, who had held the post for two years, broke down last week. The American was dissatisfied with revised and less favourable financial terms.