Given his track record of achievements over 20-plus years, the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford ranks highly among Joe Pride’s preferred fixtures on the schedule.

In 2004, Red Oog failed to deliver victory on Pride’s first go, yet the race acted as a crucial step forward for the eventual double Group 1 victor, his initial exposure to top-tier black-type open events.

Pride has since triumphed five times overall, with Title (2011), See The World (2012), and Ball Of Muscle (2015) notching their stakes debuts in the Gosford sprint, while Kuro (2017) claimed his midway through his career.

Think About It provided the most current win three years prior, utilizing the contest to propel into Group 1 glory via the Kingsford-Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap next up, en route to The Everest success in spring.

“I’m not sure there is another race I’ve won more times than this one,” Pride said.

“I’ve had good success. I even ran into Takeover Target when he won it, and who it’s named after now. That was with Red Oog, who ran third.

“I have quite often been able to use it as a progression race. It’s a nice race along the way for a horse being introduced to stakes racing.”

On Saturday, Pride unleashes Kerguelen in the feature, the Godolphin gelding well-positioned to augment his trainer’s formidable history there.

Kerguelen pursues black-type honors post Group assignments in recent starts, including a sharp sectional display to place fifth behind fellow stable runner Mazu in the Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).

“He ran amazing sectionals and that’s what he can do. He can break 33 (seconds) coming home,” Pride said.

“He will do that again on Saturday, it’s just what sort of head start he will be giving. But he will be the horse to beat.

“I want to get him into the Stradbroke, but he needs to be winning a race like this to go there.”

Think About It’s go-to rider Sam Clipperton rejoins Pride for the Kerguelen mount.

Clipperton had retired 14 months after the 2023 Everest, citing diminished drive, but the sabbatical restored his zeal, leading to a comeback last year.

The trainer observes the evolution and welcomes Clipperton enthusiastically.

“He’s a different person now. He was stale at the end, and Sam will tell you that,” Pride said.

“His mind wasn’t in the right place but, gee, he’s focused now. He’s a good rider, and he looks very stylish on a horse.”

Pride fields a pair for Godolphin at Gosford, with Crepe Myrtle also drawing praise ahead of the Triple M Thunder Handicap (1000m).

“I saved her from last week because I didn’t like the draw. She’s got a better draw this week and she will be hard to beat,” he said.

“I think she is on the right trajectory to be getting to a stakes race this campaign.”

Head to betting sites for the latest racing odds on the Takeover Target Stakes.

David Benavidez’s cruiserweight title win has fans discussing a potential heavyweight move, where he could join Roy Jones Jr as the second fighter to reign at both super-middleweight and heavyweight. Now, Jones has spoken about a possible showdown between Benavidez and unified heavyweight ruler Oleksandr Usyk.

Jones joined Bob Fitzsimmons as the only fighters to have held world titles at both middleweight and heavyweight, but ‘Captain Hook’ also captured super-middleweight honours – which were introduced long after Fitzsimmons’ retirement.

Now, having become the youngest ever super-middleweight champion back in 2017 and going on to claim light-heavyweight and cruiserweight world titles, Benavidez is being linked with a move up to boxing’s glamour division.

Speaking on the All The Smoke Fight podcast, Jones told Benavidez to avoid a fight with cruiserweight threat Jai Opetaia, and to do everything in his power to take on Usyk as soon as possible.

“This is one of the biggest fights of this decade right now. Take it while it is hot, don’t play with ‘em and don’t let ‘em play with you.

“Go up and fight Usyk while it is hot, while it makes sense. You can always come back down and fight Opetaia if you want to, if you lost to Usyk, the Opetaia fight is still there. If you lose to Opetaia, the Usyk fight is gone.

“Be smart about this thing, go and take Usyk while the iron is still hot. If you beat Usyk, you won’t ever have to see Opetaia, unless he comes up to heavyweight.”

In terms of the fight itself, Jones refused to rule out the chances of Benavidez replicating his accomplishment and dethroning the undefeated Ukrainian.

“In a boxing ring, with those 10oz gloves on, anything can happen.”

Whilst a heavyweight move could make history, Benavidez seems to be set on a challenge for the undisputed light-heavyweight crown, against unified champion Dmitry Bivol.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Krunal Pandya said the pressure of being defending champions in IPL 2026 is a big factor in driving him to perform his best as an individual in tough situations. Pandya was a standout performer in RCB winning IPL 2025, amassing 109 runs and taking 17 wickets, including figures of 2 for 17 in the final to win the Player of the Match award and get his side their first-ever championship title.

He also holds the unique distinction of being the first player in IPL history to win the Player of the Match award in two separate finals (2017 and 2025). At third place in the IPL 2026 points table, RCB will aim to solidify their chances for a playoff spot when they take on Lucknow Super Giants at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium on Thursday evening.

“It’s a very good place to be, knowing that we are defending champions. Pressure is always there when you play at the highest level, regardless of whether you are defending champions or not. I always believe that as an athlete, I try to prepare myself for tough situations.

“Whenever there is extra pressure or a need to perform, that gets me going as an individual. So yes, there is pressure, but at the end of the day, nothing really changes. It’s just a game. You must approach it the same way, whether you are defending champions or not.

“Having played almost a decade at this level, I have some experience to share with my teammates as a senior player. At the end of the day, it’s about keeping things simple, no matter what the situation is,” Pandya said on JioStar’s ‘Superstars’ episode.

In IPL 2026, Pandya has picked nine wickets in as many games at an average of 26.55 and economy rate of 8.85 in IPL 2026, while amassing 40 runs with the bat. Pandya also revealed that his preparation for matches stems from the life lessons he’s experienced so far.

“A lot depends on how you have lived your life. Most of us come from humble backgrounds. Sometimes life teaches you more than anything else. I am no different. But over time, I have always prepared myself for the toughest situations.

“Every cricketer wants to do well and be the hero when he steps on the field. I feel that when the stakes are high, when things are not going your way, or it is a do-or-die situation, that brings out something special in me.

“A lot of that comes from how I prepare. I tell myself that if I am working hard, it’s not for an easy game. Every game is tough. But I want to prepare for a situation where everything is stacked against me and then see how I can still perform,” he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Former South Carolina Gamecocks star quarterback Stephen Garcia revealed heartbreaking news on Wednesday that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer.

Garcia, 38, made the announcement in a post on Facebook.

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South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia throws a pass against Kentucky in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., on Oct. 3, 2009. South Carolina defeated Kentucky 28-26. (Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports)

“Wasn’t overly excited to share this news but it is what it is. We have a great team of doctors and staff that’s confident we can beat this! It’s the only option,” he said in a post while sharing a GoFundMe link. “If there’s one lesson to be learned, get checked and don’t be afraid to visit the doctors’ office when you don’t feel 100%.

“We got this and I appreciate all yall!”

Garcia has raised more than $116,000.

The GoFundMe page said Garcia was taking the “most aggressive” path to treat the disease.

“Stephen is beginning chemotherapy today,” the page read. “His medical team is starting him on FOLFIRINOX, which confirms they are taking the most aggressive treatment path available to fight this.

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South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia throws a pass against the Florida State Seminoles during the third quarter of the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., on Dec. 31, 2010. Florida State defeated South Carolina 26-17. (Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports)

“Following these initial rounds, he will be meeting with specialized liver and colon surgeons to determine the next steps in his treatment plan. Stephen’s entire focus is now dedicated to one thing: fighting this disease with everything he has.”

Rectal cancer deaths are rising at a significantly faster rate than colon cancer among younger Americans, a trend that researchers warn will continue to escalate without a shift in treatment, according to a study presented this year.

Mortality rates for rectal cancer are growing two to three times faster than those for colon cancer among adults aged 20 to 44, according to a study to be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2026 in Chicago. The data suggested that for older millennials, specifically those between the ages of 35 and 44, rectal cancer mortality is projected to escalate through 2035.

Garcia spent all four years of his collegiate career with South Carolina – from 2008 to 2011.

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia warms up on the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Sept. 10, 2011. (Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports)

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He had 7,597 passing yards and 47 touchdown passes in 40 games.

Fox News’ Khloe Quill contributed to this report.