With Dubai's new, oval Meydan Racecourse set to open on Jan. 28 with a synthetic Tapeta course instead of the dirt track that had been used at the now defunct, triangular-shaped Nad Al Sheba, the Dubai Racing Club is contemplating changes to its $21 million Dubai World Cup program.

Speaking to the Racing Post, Frank Gabriel, the chief executive officer of the Dubai Racing Club, said that a number of changes are under consideration, among them a switch of the six-furlong Dubai Golden Shaheen from dirt to turf.

Apache Cat, an eight-time Group 1 winner in his native Australia, sustained a career-ending injury when he finished seventh in the Hong Kong Sprint on Sunday and has been retired. By Lion Cavern out of the Whiskey Road mare Tennessee Blaze, Apache Cat, a white-faced 7-year-old gelding, was trained throughout his career by Greg Eurell for a syndicate headed by his breeder, Paul Radford.

Vision d'Etat and Daryakana landed big race victories for France at Sha Tin's Hong Kong International Races on Sunday, a day when the locally trained Good Ba Ba made history by winning the Hong Kong Mile for the third year in a row.

Sacred Kingdom reclaimed his position as the best sprinter in the world at Sha Tin on Sunday with a convincing victory over a world-class field in the $1.5 million Hong Kong Sprint. The Ricky Yiu-trained Australian-bred prevailed by a half-length in the six-furlong dash as Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag faded to fifth after having dueled early with eventual also-ran Laurel Guerreiro.

California Flag puts his glittering four-race winning streak on the line in faraway Hong Kong on Sunday when he finds himself smack in the middle of the most competitive sprint race - on turf, dirt or synthetics - anywhere in the world this year.

France is in line for a big day at Sha Tin on Sunday when Vision d'Etat and Cirrus des Aigles hold strong chances in two of the four Group 1 races on the $8 million Hong Kong International Races card. One of the best 10-furlong horses in the world, Vision d'Etat goes in the 1 1/4-mile, $2.6 million Hong Kong Cup, while the in-form and improving Cirrus des Aigles should be ideally suited to the 1 1/2 miles of the $1.8 million Hong Kong Vase.

California Flag and Cannonball drew ideally Thursday for their Hong Kong Sprint clash on Sunday, with many of the world's best turf sprinters at Sha Tin. California Flag, who will likely go straight to the front under Joe Talamo, will start from the four spot, while closer Cannonball and rider Ramon Dominguez should get themselves a ground-saving trip from the rail.

Brian Koriner, trainer of Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag, was ecstatic with his draw in post 4.

California Flag and Cannonball have taken their work schedule at Sha Tin Racecourse in stride this week as they prepare for a red-hot edition of the $1.5 million, six-furlong Hong Kong Sprint on turf Sunday.

Irish jockey Mick Kinane is retiring after 34 years in the saddle, the Racing Post has reported.

Kinane, 50, ended his career with a bang, winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October aboard Sea the Stars.

"I have decided this is the right time to retire from race-riding," the Racing Post quoted Kinane as saying. "At 50 I still feel fit and sharp enough to do any horse justice, but after the season I have just had in partnership with Sea the Stars, I have the privilege of being able to end my career as a jockey on an incredible high and that's what I want to do."

France's premier racecourse, Longchamp, will close for 20 months following the 2012 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for a renovation that will include a new grandstand and paddock and the installation of a synthetic all-weather track.