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Phillip Island chases 2026 Showdown glory at Caulfield

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The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr team are brimming with optimism for Phillip Island as he gears up for a debut in a high-stakes race at Caulfield.

In the $1m The Showdown (1200m), Port Phillip will launch his career while still eligible for the Golden Slipper at Rosehill next week, though it’s improbable he’ll run there.

Kent Jnr revealed elevated hopes for Phillip Island based on a solid opening to the two-year-old term with their youngsters.

Among the juveniles shining through the Price and Kent Jnr pipeline this year are Big Sky, Guest House and Brazen Dechambeau, with Kent Jnr placing Port Phillip in similar regard.

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“Every year we have around 80 two-year-olds that go through the system and as trainers you can rank them in a pecking order,” Kent Jnr said.

“When your so-called top three don’t fire in certain years, you are concerned about the rest, but when your so-called top three start winning races and showing they’re amongst the best in the country, that gives you confidence about the horses just below that top tier.

This colt is in that category we think and I’m looking forward to him stepping out.”

Phillip Island enters Saturday’s race with just one trial under his belt this preparation, taking that hit-out at Caulfield Heath ridden by Craig Williams last month.

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Unavailable in Sydney, Williams cedes the ride to Jamie Melham on Saturday.

“We’re going in off one trial, but he trialled really well, and he arguably trialled just as well, or if not better, than Buggsy that won (at Sandown) on Wednesday,” Kent Jnr said.

“Craig Williams really liked him and we’re under no illusions that it’s a hard test.

He is a highly strung horse and we’re asking a lot of him to get it right, but there are only three winners in the race and a number of debutants, like us.

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The test may be running out a strong 1200 (metres) off one trial, but the upside of the prize money, in a restricted race, was a huge carrot to have a go at and it would be no surprise to see him run really well.

He’s a nice colt.”

Discover competitive racing betting markets ahead of The Showdown.

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CBS Sports Says Packers Got the Best of Vikings

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A Packers Helmet in 2024 worn by Josh Jacobs
A close-up of a 1923 throwback helmet worn by Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs before the game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. © Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings cut defensive tackle Javon Hargrave this week after a mediocre season in 2025, prompting the Green Bay Packers to sign him. And that’s a problem for Minnesota, says CBS Sports, which called the Packers a “winner” in free agency for the Hargrave signing.

Green Bay’s Hargrave signing drew praise, while Minnesota’s defensive line plan invited fresh questions.

Most Vikings fans didn’t give a damn when the team dropped Hargrave, so news of the Packers reaping the benefits felt a little strange.

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Javon Hargrave’s Exit Is Being Framed as a Win for Green Bay

Hargave’s fifth career chapter is underway in Wisconsin.

49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave reacts after the Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. javon hargrave packers
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) reacts following the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, Feb. 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. Hargrave walked off the field as the Chiefs celebrated their championship, ending a tightly contested title game between two of the NFL’s best teams. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

CBS Sports: Packers a Free Agency Winner for Adding Hargrave

CBS Sports‘ Jordan Dajani named winners and losers out of the gate for NFL free agency, and because of Hargrave, Green Bay got a nod as a winner.

Dajani explained, “All things considered, the Green Bay Packers have not had a great free agency. But Brian Gutekunst made fans happy Wednesday by agreeing to terms with former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave on a reported two-year, $23 million deal.”

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“At 33-years-old, Hargrave is no longer a double-digit sack Pro Bowler, but he can still make an impact in the middle of the defensive line — which is exactly what Green Bay needed. In addition to filling a need, this move reunites Hargrave with new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.”

Vikings fans learned of Hargrave’s release earlier in the week and largely didn’t care. It was expected.

Dajani concluded, “The two worked together during their time with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022. Over that 33-game stretch, Hargrave recorded 123 tackles and 18.5 sacks. That includes an 11-sack season in 2022, when the Eagles made it to Super Bowl LVII.”

The 2025 Performance

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Hargrave’s Pro Football Focus grades indicate he’s slightly above average as an interior defender. In 2025, he earned a 70.0 pass-rushing grade and a 57.3 run-defense mark, resulting in an overall grade of 68.0 —ranking him 35th among interior linemen. While his pass rush shows promise, his run defense lacks consistency.

His statistics support this assessment. In 16 games and 537 defensive snaps (53%), Hargrave recorded 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hits, 4 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 31 pressures, placing him 34th among defensive tackles in pressure generation.

Green Bay is acquiring a dependable veteran with pass-rushing capabilities. Despite two Pro Bowl appearances earlier in his career, recent film and statistics suggest Hargrave is now a mid-tier defensive tackle.

Vikings Evidently Preferring Youth

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Minnesota’s defensive tackle group appears strong even without Hargrave. Jalen Redmond emerged as one of the defense’s top performers last season and appears poised to be a long-term starter.

Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave reacts during a game against the Washington Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium. javon hargrave packers
Minnesota Vikings nose tackle Javon Hargrave reacts during second-half action against the Washington Commanders, Dec. 7, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hargrave battled along the interior defensive line throughout the afternoon, showing emotion after a key sequence as Minnesota fought to control the trenches late in the contest. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Levi Drake Rodriguez is developing into a solid run defender and could compete for starting snaps next season. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins saw a smidgen playing time as a rookie, and undrafted defensive tackle Elijah Williams impressed during training camp and the preseason.

Similar to Green Bay, Minnesota may still look to draft a rookie DT in April. Early in the event, these names will turn heads for DT-needy clubs:

  • Peter Woods (Clemson)
  • Caleb Banks (Florida)
  • Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
  • Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
  • Christen Miller (Georgia)

The Gannon Connection in GB

So, why did Hargrave choose Green Bay of all places? Well, he may have felt some revenge-oriented feelings, sticking it to the Vikings after they cut him. That happens. But the more likely explanation is that of Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.

Hargrave spent the three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, overlapping with Gannon in two of them and reaching the Pro Bowl in 2021. The Arizona Cardinals fired Gannon earlier this offseason — the springboard event that led Kyler Murray to Minnesota — and Green Bay waltzed in with a defensive coordinator offer.

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Seeking to replace Kenny Clark, who joined the Dallas Cowboys during the Micah Parsons trade, Gannon and the Packers’ brass settled on Hargrave.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon reacts on the sideline during a game against the Green Bay Packers. javon hargrave packers
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon reacts from the sideline during a game against the Green Bay Packers, Oct. 19, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Gannon monitored the action closely as Arizona battled Green Bay in an NFC matchup during the middle stretch of the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

PackersWire‘s Mark Oldacres on the Hargrave addition: “Despite being well into the back nine of his career, Hargrave still has plenty of juice as a pass rusher, as shown by the numbers from 2025. Disrupting the quarterback has been his calling card throughout his career.”

“The 31 pressures Hargrave racked up on the interior last year were more than any Packers defensive tackle, and he had as many sacks per PFF (four) as Devonte Wyatt.”

Most Vikings fans decided Hargrave wasn’t overly productive after his performance in 2025, but CBS Sports disagrees, and Hargrave will see the Vikings twice per season, with a chance to prove the naysayers wrong.


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How to complete Shai of Sheparden in Monster Hunter Stories 3 (Thea Side Story 2)

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In Thea Side Story 2 Shai of Sheparden in Monster Hunter Stories 3, you are tasked to race against another Gale Force Porkers and bring them home by defeating them. This time around, Thea had found someone from the village to help her, but they themselves got lost. You and Thea leave to find them and then catch the zooming Poogie.

If you are looking for guides on completing the partner quests in Monster Hunter Stories 3, check these guides:


Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story walkthrough in Monster Hunter Stories 3

You can start Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story 2 in Monster Hunter Stories 3 by interacting with Thea after completing the first main story mission at Sheparden.

Find Shai

Where is Shai (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)Where is Shai (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)
Where is Shai (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)

Go down the log bridge and take the bridge on the left. Follow it to the end and continue to find Shai’s mother. Now, you will have to go find Shai. Fast travel to Cataracts Camp and make your way towards the exclamation point. Once the cutscene ends, go straight ahead till you reach the exclamation point.

Also Read: Does Simon die in Monster Hunter Stories 3?

Race the Poogie

Race the Poogie (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)Race the Poogie (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)
Race the Poogie (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)

The racing mechanic remains the same – hit the red mushrooms to boost your speed and avoid the purple mushrooms, which slow you down. While the track is relatively straightforward, avoid running on top of the bridge and instead choose left or right to get an extra red mushroom.

Once you defeat the Poogie, Thea will reappear and a cutscene will start. This will conclude the Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story Side Story in Monster Hunter Stories 3.


All rewards from Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story Side Story in Monster Hunter Stories 3

Shai of Sheparden rewards (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)Shai of Sheparden rewards (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)
Shai of Sheparden rewards (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)

The rewards from Shai of Sheparden Side Story 2 in MHS3 are:

  • Thea New Weapon: Hunting Horn – “Thea is now able to use Hunting Horns”
  • Thea Kagachi Developed – “Thea’s Kagachi learned “Stealthy.” Increases Crit Rate when not targeted by any Battle Lines.”

Check out other Monster Hunter Stories 3 guides: