Tom Kitten’s spring was marked by challenges for his connections, but the autumn has launched impressively at Caulfield for the Group 1 graduate.
Back from a let-up, the gelding captured the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, easing concerns for Anthony and Sam Freedman after a problematic previous preparation.
The five-year-old, once trained by James Cummings at Godolphin, bypassed the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last spring due to a barrier scratch, hampering his progress.
The Freedmans expended considerable effort to rebuild Tom Kitten’s fitness.
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Contrastingly, this campaign featured a progressive conditioning phase, crowned by a well-judged effort from Craig Williams.
The $3 market elect edged Feroce ($6) by a short-head in the dying strides, as Veight ($6) trailed by 3-¾ lengths for third.
“Craig and I had a chat before the event, and I really wanted to see him not have a gut buster and not have to circle the whole field and make a long run,” Sam Freedman said.
“You see when they got going, he kept him back, he made his run at the perfect time and it’s great to get the horse back in the winners’ stall.
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“When you take on a horse like this that has been to the top of the mountain, there’s always a bit of pressure.
“Ultimately, we felt that he’d been running well in the spring but didn’t get the rub of the green.
“We’re not getting carried away as it is a fair step down from the level that he has been to, but on his times at home and the way he is carrying condition, he can hopefully get to the level he has been at again.”
Freedman explained the shift in training methods, noting improved condition on the gelding.
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Arriving fresh with moderated work suited Tom Kitten ideally.
“We were a victim last prep of missing a run when he was scratched at the gates,” Freedman said.
“We were chasing our tail going to the mile first-up and we were concerned that he was racing too keenly and we had to work to make him settle, which didn’t work.
“He pulled his head off in a sedate tempo in the Makybe Diva and then he gradually got better. He had a fitness run at The Valley, and then he was back on track in Sydney.”
The under-fire Seagulls head coach was jeered and subjected to chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as his side slipped to a painful loss at the Amex Stadium.
Ismaila Sarr was once again the Eagles’ derby hero, claiming a 61st-minute winner to back up a decisive double in last season’s 3-1 success on the south coast.
Palace leapfrogged Albion into 13th place courtesy of their first win in 13 games in all competitions, dating back to December 11.
“Now it’s not the moment to talk about my human feelings,” said former St Pauli boss Hurzeler.
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“Everyone can imagine how you would feel if 25,000 demand things and sing about you.
“It’s not an easy situation but there are only two options: to give up or to keep working harder, and that’s always the option I choose so far in my life.
“That’s why I am sitting here because I never give up. That’s what I will keep pushing to do.
“I think it’s the hardest moment (of my managerial career) but it’s also the moment where I try to get the most out of it, I learn the most and I will grow the most. I will face this adversity and I will get through it.”
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Brighton, who would have climbed into the top half of the table with three points, have now won just one of their last 12 top-flight fixtures.
Seagulls supporters initially took aim at Hurzeler in the 71st minute when he replaced Maxim De Cuyper, Carlos Baleba and Harry Howell with Diego Gomez, Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck in a triple substitution.
Jeers grew louder as Albion’s struggles to create continued, building to a crescendo at the final whistle after some fans called for Hurzeler to be dismissed.
“I always promise I give my heart, I give my soul for this club, and I will keep doing this,” said the 32-year-old German.
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“It’s not an easy situation to take. But I will absorb the criticism.
“It’s fine if they (fans) find the person in me to blame – because in the end I’m responsible – as long as they support the team.”
Palace’s victory was a first in 10 top-flight outings, since a 2-1 win at Fulham on December 7.
Eagles manager Oliver Glasner, who celebrated on the pitch in front of a jubilant away end at full-time, said: “I just can say thank you to our fans. They had plenty of opportunities to boo us in the last months but they never did. This is the bond we created in the last two years.
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“Yes, they were disappointed and we were disappointed but they never booed at us. Today what we have seen right at the end, the players, the fans, this is what you can’t buy, these emotions, this feeling after a win.
“We will go home now, the M23 being really delighted. Our fans I think they will stop once or twice to buy another Guinness. That’s why football is so great.
“We couldn’t deliver the last two months. Today they are just happy.
“Tomorrow I think most of them have to go to work but Monday morning is easier to start with a win, especially at Brighton. This is why everybody was so emotional after the game.”
STUTTGART, GERMANY – APRIL 13: Vera Zvonareva in action against Diana Shnaider during the first qualifications round ahead of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Stuttgart 2024 at Porsche Arena on April 13, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Vera Zvonareva has qualified for the main draw of the Qatar Open, marking her first appearance at the WTA 1000 level since 2023.
The former world No. 2 resumed competition late in 2025 after a 19 month absence, reaching the final of the W100 Dubai in both singles and doubles. She has since played several qualifying events and has had some match wins despite missing main draws in Canberra, Adelaide, and Abu Dhabi.
In Doha, Zvonareva earned her place with straight set wins over Shuai Zhang and Magdalena Frech, her first singles victories over top 100 opponents since late 2023.
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The 41 year old is the oldest player in the Qatar Open draw and is currently the second most senior competitor on the WTA Tour, behind Venus Williams.
Zvonareva will open her campaign on Sunday against Peyton Stearns, setting up a first round meeting between players separated by 17 years.
Terence Crawford has received plenty of plaudits recently, but one Hall of Fame fighter claims he isn’t on his level, along with Shakur Stevenson, believing that neither man is in the class he was in when he was active.
Crawford hung up the gloves back in December after defeating Canelo Alvarez and he has since been praised as one of the greatest fighters of the modern era, having reigned as undisputed champion in three weight classes.
However, despite the efforts of both men, former three-weight world champion James Toney told FightHype that their wins have not been dominant or destructive enough to warrant the same recognition as him.
“He looked good, alright, but it wasn’t no James Toney performance, you know that. Every time that I fought on the big stage, [Iran] Barkley, [Evander] Holyfield, John Ruiz and countless others – I am dominating them.
Terence Crawford, I love Terence Crawford, but he didn’t even do what I did. He didn’t do it, but he won 12 rounds. I did damage, I stopped people, I knocked people out, that is why they called me ‘Lights Out’.”
At 28 years old, there is plenty of time for Stevenson to further etch his name into the history books, with a possible move to the welterweight division potentially presenting the Newark southpaw with the opportunity to become boxing’s seventh five-division champion.
Lindsay Park, under the guidance of Ben, Will and J D Hayes, has claimed a vital success with Oak Hill’s Caulfield conquest in 2026.
This sprinter’s result in Saturday’s Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) was the first for the stable in metro ranks following the January 21 Sandown pair from Vivacissimo and Crocodile.
The month of January was testing for Lindsay Park, hit by on-track woes and the destructive bushfires across Victoria that torched extensive sections of their Lindsay Park estate, prompting horse evacuations.
Oak Hill’s win proved perfectly timed amid the hardships at the Creighton’s Creek training site, as per J D Hayes.
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Oak Hill ($4.60), piloted by Damian Lane, edged out Don’t Hope Do ($9) by a long head, with $2.70 elect Hedged settling for third, 1-¼ lengths behind.
“We are definitely happy to put January behind us and that was a terrific effort,” Hayes said.
“I thought he put the writing on the wall last start with his return run. We’ve taken all the gear off his head and he’s just starting to really learn his craft.
“He’s a late learner and a horse that we inherited from the late, great, Mike Moroney and he is getting better each preparation.
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“And it’s great to get Damian Lane back on board. He won quite a few races on him and it’s always good to get a winner for Rupert Legh in those colours.”
Hayes revealed the handicap Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 21 could be next for Oak Hill.
Lane boasts an excellent record with the gelding, securing five of his eight wins aboard the sprinter.
The jockey is optimistic about Oak Hill navigating the Oakleigh Plate frenzy if chosen by the Hayes siblings.
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“He’s always had the talent and you can put him a touch closer and he’s got the turn-of-foot still,” Lane said.
“He’d handle it (Oakleigh Plate) well. He’s got that experience now in short course racing, hustle and bustle, and now that he’s more mature in the mind that’ll help him, and it will set up well.”
Race enthusiasts can find competitive odds in the racing betting markets for events like the Oakleigh Plate.
Cris Collinsworth has been the face of NBC’s Sunday Night Football coverage for over 15 years. Now, another Collinsworth is in the mix.
Jac Collinsworth will participate in official Super Bowl coverage for the second time ahead of Super Bowl 60. He’ll have the unique opportunity of hosting the pregame show from Alcatraz Island with Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison.
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According to NBC, the Super Bowl LX Pregame Show “will feature a look at the island’s historic significance as a military base, prison, and seabird conservation site, as well as the 19-month occupation by Native Americans in support of freedom and civil rights.”
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Jac, 30, began his relationship with NBC in 2013 while studying at Notre Dame. He was part of the sideline production team for four years and served as NBC’s sideline reporter for the Fighting Irish’s spring game in 2016 and 2017. After a four-year stint at ESPN, Jac returned to NBC in 2020 to become the host of Football Night in America and Notre Dame Football on NBC.
So, the obvious question is whether Jac and Cris Collinsworth are related. The answer is yes. Jac is one of Cris’ four children.
The Seattle Seahawks head into the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots as slight favorites. However, Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg thinks the Patriots will be too much for Seattle’s defense to handle.
Wahlberg, who is a lifelong Patriots fan, was asked about his prediction for Super Bowl LX during an interaction with TMZ Sports in San Francisco on Friday. Wahlberg predicted a dominant win for New England.
Thanks for the submission!
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“It’s gonna be an ass-whooping, Patriots are gonna win big!” Wahlberg said. “It’s time for Drake Maye to take the throne!”
•
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NFL fans called out the actor for his “delusional” Super Bowl prediction.
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“Delusional.”
“Remember… he left the stadium when we were down 28-3… what kind of fan is he?”
Remember… he left the stadium when we were down 28-3… what kind of fan is he?
“He’s still trying to make up for leaving during 28-3.”
Hes still trying to make up for leaving during 28-3
“He probably thinks Tom Brady is gonna gear up tomorrow and save them lol 😂”
He probably thinks Tom Brady is gonna gear up tomorrow and save them lol 😂
“That’s a pipe dream.”
“The worst people being pro patriots .. makes u think.”
The worst people being pro patriots .. makes u think
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The Seahawks will make their fourth Super Bowl appearance on Sunday, hoping to win their second ring in franchise history. The last time they faced the Patriots in the Super Bowl in 2015, they suffered a dramatic 28-24 loss against Tom Brady’s team.
Mark Wahlberg predicted Patriots’ success under Mike Vrabel at the start of 2025 season
The Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as their coach before the start of the season and Mark Wahlberg predicted success under the first-year coach during a coverstation with Stephen A. Smith in September.
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“For the last couple of years, I had no stress,” Wahlberg said. “And I found myself sitting on the couch with my son, getting anxiety again, getting that knot in my stomach, right? I lose my appetite.
“We’re going back. We’re going back to the promised land, adding more championships, adding more trophies,” he added. “The Krafts gotta build another trophy room. It’s happening.”
Vrabel has led a remarkable turnaround in his first season with the Patriots and aims to win the first Super Bowl in the post-Bill Belichick era.
Oct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dotson (2) scores a touchdown against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings likely won’t have the cap space to go big-game hunting at wide receiver in free agency, pretty much ruling out players like George Pickens. The franchise could, though, target a sensible WR3 if Jalen Nailor departs for a new team. Consider these five wideouts the common-sense options.
Minnesota’s WR shopping list depends on Jalen Nailor’s status, but the market offers some speed, depth, and upside.
If Nailor returns in 2026, this list will be moot, but his status is a mystery.
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WR Free Agents Who Fit the Vikings for 2026
Ranked in order of realism, here’s who Minnesota could target at WR in free agency if Nailor walks.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed carries the ball during second-half action at Lumen Field, with the play unfolding on Nov. 30, 2025, as Seattle faced Minnesota while Shaheed navigated traffic, accelerated into space, and pressured the Vikings’ defense in a tightly contested late-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
5. Rashid Shaheed
Shaheed will command a fat contract next month, probably pricing himself out of the Vikings’ range. But in the off chance that Minnesota clears enough cap space to splurge, Shaheed would absolutely fit in the offensive plan, providing speed and playmaking that only Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison can currently provide in Minneapolis.
He’s only at the “bottom” of this list because he’s about to score a contract worth roughly $45 million over the next three years.
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USA Today‘s Tyler Dragon on Shaheed: “Shaheed’s been a lightning rod for the Seahawks offense and special teams ever since Seattle acquired him at the trade deadline. He’s the only player in the NFL this season with both kick return and punt return touchdowns.”
“Known for his explosive speed, Shaheed’s 95-yard kick return touchdown ignited the Seahawks in their divisional round win over the San Francisco 49ers.”
4. Gabe Davis
Davis tore his ACL one month ago. That, of course, does not help his free agency — at all — but it will drive down his price. Some team will hand him a one-year deal to prove he’s back and healthy.
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He fits the Vikings because he’ll be cheap and has WR3 tendencies. He’s also still just 26 years old. The only problem with Davis is his recovery timeline. He could be ready in September — or the recovery could bleed into October and November.
3. John Metchie
Metchie was a 2nd-Round pick by the Houston Texans in the 2022 NFL Draft and has never panned out. No team has targeted him more than 50 times in a season, and his once-fancy scouting report has not translated to the NFL as most draft heads predicted.
There’s a world, however, where Metchie can reclaim his career if some team commits to him as a WR3. The Vikings could sign him to a prove-it deal and pair him with Tai Felton at training camp to determine the WR3 for the 2026 season.
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Metchie is known for his route-running, and that could be just what the doctor ordered for Minnesota’s eventual QB1 selection.
2. Dyami Brown
Brown is just like Metchie: a 3rd-Rounder from the 2021 NFL Draft who looked promising a few years ago but has never had more than 300 yards in a season.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown celebrates in the end zone at FedExField, with the moment occurring on Aug. 21, 2023, during second-quarter preseason action against Baltimore as Brown punctuated the scoring play and energized the sideline following a successful red-zone sequence. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.
He’s a bit different than Metchie because, in his purest form, Brown is a home run hitter. He has 4.44 speed and can beat many defensive backs on the outside.
Just give Brown about 70 targets in 17 games, and he can thrive as a WR3. Like Davis and Metchie, Brown, too, will be affordable in free agency.
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JagsWire‘sPaul Bretl on Brown: “When the Jaguars signed Brown to the offense, he immediately added another vertical presence to the offense with his speed. The Jaguars also thought he had the upside to attack other levels of the field and get the ball on designed touches out of the backfield.”
“However, as the season progressed, Brown’s role was reduced and eventually became nonexistent, with him even being a healthy scratch in some games. Brown was unable to carve out steady playing time, and he was eventually jumped on the depth chart by Tim Patrick. He finished the season catching 20 passes for 227 yards with a touchdown.”
1. Jahan Dotson
The Eagles leaned run-heavy, and when the ball went up in the air this season, Jalen Hurts didn’t consistently hit his usual efficiency marks. That environment didn’t do much for non-A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith wideouts like Dotson.
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson stands on the field during pregame warmups at AT&T Stadium, with the scene set on Oct. 2, 2022, as Washington prepared to face Dallas while Dotson went through routines and focused on the upcoming NFC East matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dotson’s skill set fits better in a pass-forward offense, which is where Minnesota lives. If Nailor isn’t part of the 2026 plans, Kevin O “Connell would be wise to at least gauge Dotson’s market and see whether the price aligns with the role.
After all, the man was a 1st-Round talent four years ago. Youth is on his side. He also has 4.4 speed.
Super Bowl 57: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passes the the Lombardi Trophy to Travis Kelce after winning the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on Feb 12, 2023.
Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs plan to discuss the star tight end’s playing future following Super Bowl LX, NFL Network reported on Sunday.
Kelce, 36, is set to become a free agent next month after finishing his two-year, $34.25 million extension this past season.
The Chiefs reportedly would like to welcome back Kelce with open arms, however the team is in excess of $55 million over the projected cap of more than $300 million.
Kelce has kept his cards close to the vest about his future, however he openly celebrated the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on a recent “New Heights” podcast.
“I can’t wait to see him back in the building, man,” Kelce said. “He’s one of my favorite coaches of all time, one of my favorite people of all time. I’ve had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person, and I just love the guy.”
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The Chiefs’ lackluster 6-11 season ended with a whimper, leading some to wonder if the four-time All-Pro wanted to end his career on that note.
Prior to the season, Kelce admitted that he contemplated retirement. He also said his life has changed in some ways since he began dating the biggest pop star on the planet in Taylor Swift, to whom he is engaged.
Last season, Kelce joined Hall of Fame member Jerry Rice as the only players in NFL history with at least 12 consecutive seasons producing at least 800 receiving yards.
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Kelce led the team in receptions (76), yards (851) and receiving touchdowns (five, tied with Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown).
The three-time Super Bowl champion and 11-time Pro Bowl selection is the Chiefs’ all-time leader in receptions (1,080), receiving yards (13,002) and touchdown receptions (82).
After just 14 seconds, Nobbs was wheeling away in celebration after netting the quickest goal of the WSL2 season.
Another yet more impressive effort just before half time doubled the Lasses’ lead, although they were given a late scare before second half added time when Tegan McGowan halved the deficit.
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Nobbs’ third goal of the season, and second against the Saints, put United ahead after just a whirlwind 14 seconds.
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Oona Sevenius won an initial header from Fran Stenson’s long punt from kick off, with the ball falling to Molly Pike, who at the first time of asking slipped through United’s number four before calmly rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home into an empty net.
It was a chaotic start to the game on the south coast, with the hosts squandering a golden chance to level things up when a ball inside found Atlanta Primus unmarked in the box, but she failed to muster a shot that truly tested Anna Tamminen from the penalty spot.
The Saints continued to probe at Newcastle’s defence, although they were being restricted to efforts outside the area, with Mary Bashford’s strike from 20 yards out was tipped over the bar by Tamminen.
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Following a frantic opening 25 minutes, Newcastle began to gain control of the game and started to catch Southampton out with a high press when Emily Murphy played through Freya Gregory, but the Scotland international’s fizzing strike was well saved at Stenson’s near post.
With both sides settling into the game as it approached half time, United managed to flick the switch and double their lead when Nobbs got on the scoresheet for the second time in the afternoon.
A neat ball inside from Gregory opened up the space for Nobbs to run forward and play a smart one-two with Murphy, before taking a touch and curling a looping effort out of Stenson’s reach.
Both sides lowered the tempo in the second half, with United comfortable in letting the Saints have shots from long range that often failed to hit the target as the heavens opened and soaked the St. Mary’s pitch.
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Neither side looked to be threatening in the opposition’s box for the majority of the half. However, the Lasses continued to carry a threat on the counter-attack with the pace of Beth Lumsden, Gregory and Murphy.
With a final throw of the dice, Southampton pushed more players forward to try and pull themselves back into the game. It almost paid off when Primus was picked out at the near post by Brazil, but a combination of Jemma Purfield and Tamminen denied her a goal.
Despite the valiant efforts a few minutes earlier, United were pegged back just before stoppage time as substitute Tegan McGowan stormed down the left-hand side to slot beneath Tamminen from an acute angle.
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Newcastle United Women: Anna Tamminen, Charlotte Wardlaw, Jordan Nobbs (Demi Stokes 87), Jemma Purfield, Molly Pike (Ashanti Akpan 77), Freya Gregory, Kaitlyn Torpey, Oona Sevenius (Beth Lumsden 58), Lois Joel, Aoife Mannion (c), Emily Murphy
Subs not used: Claudia Moan, Shania Hayles, Emilia Larsson
