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Idle Flyer tops Smith’s 2026 Rosehill stakes runners

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Idle Flyer has steadied the ship after a turbulent launch to her prep, realigning towards her Group One objective, where the upcoming Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill acts as a crucial lead-in.

Trainer Matthew Smith was forced to delay the mare’s debut owing to a tenacious virus, starting her instead across an unbefitting 1200m in the Wenona Girl Quality March 7, but Idle Flyer underlined her potential with a solid fourth.

A barrier trial triumph has kept her on song since, paving the way for Saturday’s Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) engagement, in which she rates an initial market pick.

“We started in a race we didn’t really want to start in because we had a few interruptions to her ‘prep,’” Smith said.

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“She has been a little bit behind. Her run was good first-up, so she goes into this race fit and well, but is she at her peak yet? Probably not.

“She is ready to go, but one more and she will be cherry ripe.”

Smith’s operation has a full slate, including Portland in the Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) and Derby candidates Eureka Rebel with Dezignation tackling the Tulloch Stakes (2000m) ahead of the ATC Australian Derby.

Though longer shots among competitors, these three-year-olds have affirmed stamina at the distance, with Smith expecting progression to the 2400m showpiece.

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“Both look like they will stay really well,” he said.

“I just want to see them hitting the line. The danger in these races is you get no tempo, and then they’re not going to be suited.

“I don’t know what the Derby field will be like. I thought it might lack a bit of depth in the staying ranks, and we’d give it a shot.”

Fierce Impact, a prior Smith inmate and triple Group 1 captor best known for shorter trips, sires Eureka Rebel.

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The trainer’s Mountain Queen, another from that pedigree, mirrors Eureka Rebel’s staying promise and is in the mix for the Australian Oaks (2400m).

“The ones by him that we’ve got showing ability are more middle-distance horses. It would be nice if we could get one through to each of the (classic) races,” Smith said.

In the Neville Sellwood third-up, the gelding Portland takes on classy import Barnavara, yet Smith views the middle-distance assignment on a rain-impacted surface as ideal progression.

“He has been looking to get out to this trip,” Smith said.

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“He’s not right at his top yet, but he’s on the way and this will be another step in the right direction. His work has been good, and I can’t fault him really.”

For the Emancipation Stakes, racing odds are available across various betting sites.

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Gold Coast Titans vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 4 2026

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Cbus Super Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 4 NRL game between Gold Coast Titans and
St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 6:15 pm with Gold Coast Titans heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Gold Coast Titans vs.
St. George Illawarra Dragons
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday March 29, 2026 at 6:15 pm

Where: Cbus Super Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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Gold Coast Titans vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds

Gold Coast Titans vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview

Parramatta enters this clash aiming to build momentum after a fluctuating opening to the season. The Eels have shown attacking potential but are still working to tighten defensive lapses that have cost them in key moments. Their opponents have been similarly inconsistent, making this a pivotal contest for both sides. Recent meetings have been evenly matched, often producing high-scoring encounters. Parramatta’s ability to generate second-phase play will be important, while their rivals will look to control possession and limit errors. With both teams searching for stability, this shapes as a contest where execution and discipline will be critical.

First Try Scorer

First Try Scorer:

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Phillip Sami at $9.00.

Gold Coast Titans vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Teams

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Max Feagai 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Tukimihia Simpkins 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Lachlan Ilias 19. Josh Patston 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Oliver Pascoe 22. Jett Liu

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Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hame Sele 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Josh Kerr 19. Hayden Buchanan 20. Tyrell Sloan 21. Ryan Hutchinson 22. Lyhkan King-Togia

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Is Connecticut Sun Relocating to Houston & Rebranding as Comets? $300 Million Deal Resurrecting WNBA’s Iconic Team Explored

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Reports emerged Friday that the Connecticut Sun have been sold to the Fertitta family, who will move the franchise to Houston.

WNBA insider Alexa Philippou said sources told ESPN that the franchise was sold for $300 million. The Sun would reportedly play their final season in Connecticut in 2026 before moving to Houston for 2027.

“BREAKING: The Connecticut Sun is being sold to the Fertitta family to bring the WNBA back to Houston, sources confirmed to ESPN,” Philippou tweeted. “The team was sold for $300 million, sources said. Team will play final season in CT in ’26 before relocation. The Comets are back.”

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PaperCity Magazine’s Chris Baldwin, who first reported the news Friday, said the official announcement of the relocation is expected to be “sometime next week.” A sale is subject to the approval of the WNBA’s Board of Governors.

The Sun will be renamed the Houston Comets, adopting the name of the previous WNBA franchise in the city. The Comets played for 12 seasons from 1997 to 2008. They were one of the original eight teams.

Led by WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson, the Comets won the first four championships in league history.

In August, reports emerged that former Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca reached a deal to purchase the Sun for $325 million. However, the sale did not push through as part of the deal was relocation to Boston. The WNBA said in a statement that it will be prioritizing cities that previously applied for an expansion franchise.

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What are the other details of the Connecticut Sun’s relocation to Houston?

According to PaperCity Magazine’s Chris Baldwin on Friday, the upcoming Houston Comets will play at Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets. Tilman Fertitta purchased the Rockets in 2017 and since 2024 has expressed his desire to bring the WNBA back to Houston.

Baldwin added that the new WNBA franchise in Houston will have “access to the type of analytical data that the top organizations in sports rely on.”

The Connecticut Sun have played in Uncasville, Connecticut, since 2003 and have been one of the most successful teams. They reached the playoffs in 16 of 22 seasons and made the WNBA Finals four times.

In recent years, the Sun ownership, the Mohegan Tribe, has been criticized for lacking future plans to improve team facilities. The Sun held training sessions at a local community center.

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