The highly-regarded filly is nearing the conclusion of her Queensland stint and is set to rejoin the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
Following her sensational win in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile, the daughter of Saxon Warrior headed north. Trainer Peter Moody mentioned she has relished her time off, preparing for a pivotal four-year-old season.
“She actually travels home from Queensland next week,” Moody said from Flemington on Saturday.
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“(It’s been) slowly, slowly. She’s done about seven weeks’ work up there and enjoyed it.
“There wasn’t a lot of developing to do, she just had to maintain her health and wellbeing and she’s done that.”
Sheza Alibi enhanced her reputation as Australia’s premier horse during the Sydney Autumn Carnival, with her dominant 4-1/4-length victory in the Doncaster Mile following an earlier Group 1 success in the Randwick Guineas (1600m).
After a brief rest period, she underwent a month of pre-training before a three-week spell at Eagle Farm.
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“Trot and canter for a month, just to put a base in them and the last three weeks she’s been in at Eagle Farm at our stable there,” Moody elaborated on Sheza Alibi’s current work program.
“She’s done three weeks at three-quarter pace and she’s ready to have a gallop now.”
Moody indicated that the spring program for the Horse of the Year candidate is still taking shape, but initial plans are being developed with a view to a first-up run in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29.
“She probably has a jumpout at the end of the month, trials the first or second week of August somewhere there and the Memsie’s at the end of August,” he stated.
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“That was the first possible (target) – I’m not saying that the one – but that’s the first option.”
The Memsie Stakes is scheduled seven days after the Group 1 Winx Stakes in Sydney, a race many racing fans would prefer her to resume in, as it would potentially create a significant clash with fellow Horse of the Year contender Autumn Glow.
The main objective for Sheza Alibi in the spring is the $10 million Golden Eagle (1600m), scheduled for October 31, a race over the same distance and course as her two Group 1 wins, where she is currently a strong favourite.
Considering a bet on the Winx Stakes? Explore betting sites.
Alex Eala of the Philippines blows kisses to the crowd after losing the women’s singles fourth round match against Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 6, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala’s golden run at Wimbledon hit the end of the road on Monday night.
Eala went down swinging before falling to Italian world No. 13 and former finalist Jasmine Paolini, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, in the round of 16 in front of a star-studded crowd at Centre Court that included Roger Federer.
The loss did not diminish Eala’s historic campaign on tennis’ most grandiose stage.
In another trail-blazing bid, Eala became the first Filipino to reach the round of 16 in a Grand Slam singles tournament after she unseated defending champion Iga Swiatek in straight sets on Saturday.
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The 30-year-old Paolini, a former world No. 4, evened the score against Eala after losing to the Filipino ace in the Dubai Tennis Championships round of 32 last February.
Paolini, who made the All England Club final two years ago, booked a spot in the quarterfinals against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk set Wednesday.
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Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump said he personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the red card and one-match suspension handed to Team USA striker Folarin Balogun, a move that has sparked major controversy at the FIFA World Cup, according to CNN.FIFA later announced that Balogun would be eligible to play in the Round of 16 clash against Belgium after lifting his suspension, a decision that triggered political debate and raised questions over the integrity of the tournament. “All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say, ‘You have to do this,’” Trump said from the Oval Office, as quoted by CNN, adding that he “didn’t think it was a foul.” “I didn’t tell him what to do, I can’t tell him what to do,” he said, adding that an independent committee “made the right decision.”Balogun, the American top-scored in the tournament with three goals, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia-Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.FIFA announced Sunday that the suspension had been lifted for the round of 16 match, an extraordinary move that triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium’s team. “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump later said in a statement on social media.The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished,” and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA’s action.“I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe,” Garcia said through a translator in an April Fools’ Day comparison. “The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it’s the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision.”FIFA said its decision relied on Article 27 of disciplinary committee rules.“The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure,” the rule states. “By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.”
The VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final at Flemington saw an unexpected victor in Detonator Jack, who broke a long winless streak thanks to a favourable set of circumstances.
Previously winless for 952 days, Detonator Jack had struggled in the David Bourke Handicap at his prior start, finishing behind all other runners. However, he demonstrated a marked improvement third-up on Saturday to clinch the Listed mile feature by a short neck.
Sent out at odds of $20 with John Allen in the saddle, Detonator Jack recorded his first victory since capturing The Gong at Kembla Grange in November 2023. National assistant trainer Jack Turnbull explained that the stable had employed a variety of training methods to revive the horse’s old form.
“There were a lot of elements of the race today that worked for Jack in the sense of fitness, he was third up, blinkers were on, we got a nice cut in the ground and we drew low,” Turnbull remarked. “Still a little bit hesitant whether or not he wanted to be there or not, but credit to the whole team, we’ve been playing around them at home, tread, jumping, different track gallops, just trying to rejuvenate him and we got it done.”
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“Tread training was a big factor, Track Kat (Katrina Anderson) had a bit to do with him there, and we’ve just schooled him down at Cranbourne. Obviously it’s been a long time between drinks, but we’ve kept saying that at home he’s wanted to be there, and he wants to do it, we just hadn’t seen it race day.”
Turnbull also highlighted the specific booking of jockey John Allen, who had previously guided the horse to three wins early in his career. Allen, however, confessed to being skeptical about the horse’s ability to turn his form around so swiftly.
“He’s always had good ability and he’s obviously won better races than today,” Allen said. “I was very sceptical looking at his run the last day, I thought it was very plain, but Ciaron said he’d changed a few things up during the week and done a bit of schooling with him and stuff, just trying to sharpen him up and it’s certainly done the trick.”
Check out the betting markets for the race at Australian betting sites.
The Freiburg player, who contributed to 16 goals during the 2025/26 campaign, has particularly impressed on the world stage. His current club are naturally looking to capitalise on his elevated profile and have placed a £51million valuation on him, according to Sky Sports Germany.
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The Magpies are keeping close tabs on Manzambi’s situation and should Newcastle formalise a pursuit, they would almost certainly be favourites to secure the 20-year-old.
That is because, according to The Daily Mail, Eddie Howe’s side are leading the chase for his signature, with the financial aspects involving both the player and club not thought to be problematic.
Newcastle are also searching for a new central midfielder following the sale of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for £100m. Despite operating in a more advanced role at the World Cup, Manzambi featured 25 times for Freiburg in midfield and could therefore serve as Tonali’s successor.
Upon being announced as a new signing by the club, he said: “I’m very happy to be here. When I arrived at the club today, it felt fantastic. People said about there being four or five clubs – there was only one. I spoke to the head coach for close to two hours about the club, the fans, the stadium and our football.
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“It was like magic because I knew immediately that I had to sign for Tottenham. I’ve played against Tottenham a few times and always found a great atmosphere made by great fans. I can’t wait to start the season.”
Financial reasons played a role in United not signing Elliot Anderson, whom Nottingham Forest sold to Manchester City for a remarkable £116million.
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Mateus Fernandes also opted for a move to Spurs over United with West Ham receiving £85million for his departure.
His former club team-mate Crysencio Summerville is also on the radar of Old Trafford chiefs with Fulham and Chelsea among the clubs looking to take advantage of the Hammers’ relegation.
Talks to face former WBC titlist Wilder have restarted after stalling earlier in the year. Usyk’s team has made it clear that the three-time undisputed champion wants to headline in the US before retiring, and Wilder, as one of this era’s standouts, makes sense. ‘The Bronze Bomber’s team have said they are open to taking the fight.
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Speaking to Wilder in a clip captured by ES News, fellow knockout artist Briggs advised ‘The Bronze Bomber’ on how to approach the match-up. ‘The Cannon’ concluded that the American would be able to win against the undefeated Usyk.
“He’s gonna fight Usyk and I’m rooting for him. He deserves the fight because he’s fought so many fights and defended his title so many times.”
“I want you to win that fight. You are going to do your thing. I know you are going to pull it off, too, with that right hand you got. Listen champ, just line him up, line him up. Hit them on top of the head.”
“He’s gonna come like this [in the southpaw stance] and he don’t leave much [open]. But, with that right hand you got, right down the middle… You’re gonna do it.”
Wilder is coming off a rare points victory over Derek Chisora in Manchester, and had been understood to be considering a rematch before this opportunity presented itself. With talks reportedly now ongoing behind the scenes, fans may not have to wait too long for an announcement, though Usyk is also considering a left-field fight with former UFC champion Jon Jones.
England forward Aggie Beever-Jones has signed a new contract with Chelsea, extending her stay at the club she joined as a nine-year-old until 2030.
The 22-year-old has become an established member of Chelsea’s first-team over the past three seasons after loan spells with Bristol City and Everton earlier in her career.
Beever-Jones has made 97 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 32 goals, and has helped the club win two Women’s Super League titles, two Women’s FA Cups and two Women’s League Cups.
Speaking after signing her new deal, she said: “It feels great. Chelsea has been my club since I was a young girl, and that means a lot to me and my family.
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“It’s a very proud day, and I’m super excited to continue my journey and make more memories in blue.”
The Chelsea Academy graduate made her first senior start for England in May 2025 and marked the occasion with an impressive hat-trick in a 6-0 Nations League victory over Portugal at Wembley Stadium.
She was later named in England’s squad for Euro 2025, scoring in a 6-1 group-stage win over Wales before helping the Lionesses lift the trophy.
Five years ago Josh Tongue was considering an early end to his cricket career but he is now just one step away from fulfilling his ambition of becoming England’s all-format “impact bowler”.
A highly-rated youth pace prospect, Tongue was forced to contemplate a premature move into coaching after a shoulder complaint known as thoracic outlet syndrome forced him out of the game for 15 months in his mid-20s.
A ruptured pectoral in the summer of 2023 put him back on the shelf a matter of weeks after he battled back to earn a place in the Test team, and a torn hamstring meant he missed the entire season in 2024.
Josh Tongue made his T20 debut against India at Old Trafford (Bruce Rollinson/PA) (PA Wire)
But as England begin to build towards their next chapter, Tongue, now 28, has emerged as a cornerstone of their attack.
He is inked into the Test XI after out-performing the pack in last winter’s Ashes defeat, made his T20 debut in Saturday’s victory over India at Emirates Old Trafford and could add a first ODI cap later this month after winning a call-up for the 50-over series.
Tongue’s injury history might have tempted the management into a more cautious workload, but the Nottinghamshire quick is relishing the chance to make up for lost time.
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“I want to be a big impact bowler in every format, in Tests, T20s and 50 overs as well,” he said.
“Obviously I struggled with injuries a few years back, but that’s part of being a fast bowler. I’ve always wanted to play three formats for England.
“With the injuries I had a few years ago, not knowing if I was still going to be playing cricket, I put a lot of hard work in at the gym, running as well. There were some gloomy days in the gym, where you feel the walls are getting closer and closer, but that’s the hard work you need to put in to make sure you can stay out on the park and keep representing England. I want to play as many games as I can because it’s a privilege.
Tongue finished a poor Ashes series for England on a high (Robbie Stephenson/PA) (PA Wire)
“Test cricket is very demanding, I’ve learnt that over the last few years. It’s about knowing your own body inside-out and knowing you’ve got the support to stay as fit as you can. The science and medical team are always asking how I am and we go from there.”
Tongue will take his place in an unchanged England XI at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, with the hosts 1-0 up with three to play in the Vitality Series.
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That means a chance to renew his new-ball duel with 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Tongue beat the schoolboy sensation with his first two balls as the pair crossed paths on their respective debuts, before being clattered for six as the youngster showed off his remarkable ball-striking ability.
“I’ve watched him at the IPL and he’s an amazing player, an exciting talent,” he said. “He got hold of me for that six, which was obviously a nice shot, but I try to focus as much as I can on myself.”
India’s power-packed top three of Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan will be licking their lips in Nottingham, where short boundaries and true pitches have made for big totals in the past.
But to square the series they will need to outmatch an England side who chased down 191 with an over to spare in Manchester, as Jacob Bethell’s 76 not out carried them home.
For a while, the football appeared to have taken over the politics at the 2026 World Cup. Cape Verde taking world champions Argentina to the wire, Paraguay knocking out Germany and Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe fighting it out for the top scorer’s Golden Boot — the focus was on the pitch.
He was successful, with FIFA ripping up the rulebook that bans red card appeals to say that the “automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.” FIFA cited Article 27, a broad provision that allows them to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
The decision was handed down a little more than 48 hours before the US are to face Belgium in the quarterfinals. Trump celebrated with a post on his Truth Social platform that read, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
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The close relationship between Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who created a FIFA Peace Prize to award Trump in December, has faced much scrutiny in the buildup to the tournament and will now come under the microscope again.
What has the US and Belgian reaction been to Balogun decision?
Belgium, as you might expect, are not happy. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) responded with a strong statement of condemnation, saying they were “astonished” by the decision.
“I didn’t know that 5 July was equal to 1 April [April Fools’ Day] at FIFA,” joked a clearly angry Belgium coach Rudi Garcia in his prematch press conference.
On Monday, The Athletic reported that the RBFA have been granted the right to appeal the decision to a member of the FIFA appeals committee not associated with UEFA, Europe’s football confederation, or the North American equivalent CONCACAF. The judgment on that appeal could land as late as 12 hours before the quarterfinal kicks off.
Garcia’s opposing coach, Mauricio Pochettino, suggested issues had been “conflated” by those with an unspecified “agenda” to justify the decision.
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“If anyone was harmed in this whole situation, it was the United States. Can anyone justify the idea that we weren’t punished? I mean, playing 30 or 35 minutes a man down in a World Cup knockout match? It’s not as if we’re benefiting. Ultimately, we aren’t victims, but we aren’t the villains of this story either.”
How has the rest of the football world reacted to FIFA’s decision?
Those without skin in the game have, almost universally, backed the Belgian standpoint. The US are manifestly not the only side in the tournament frustrated by a call they believe is incorrect. UEFA, which is increasingly at loggerheads with FIFA, said the u-turn “crossed a red line” in a statement released on Monday.
Norway coach, Stale Solbakken, admonished Infantino’s organization even before Trump’s involvement became clear.
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“It is a big mistake by FIFA. It is not a great conclusion. He got a red card and the VAR concluded that it was a red card. That means you are suspended for one game,” he said. “I think what is really bad about that situation is, if the USA beat Belgium, they will always have that extra thing about it. The Belgians will be furious.”
Norway beat Brazil on Sunday, but their coach still criticized FIFAImage: Takuya Matsumoto/AP Photo/picture alliance
“The impression that there has been active political interference in sports must be dispelled swiftly and conclusively. The integrity of the competition and the credibility of FIFA are at stake,” he said, calling on FIFA to clarify Trump’s involvement.
His compatriot, England coach Thomas Tuchel, was among those who questioned whether this case now becomes a precedent.
“Where does this start and where does this end now? Can we overturn it or not overturn it? What’s going on? Where to draw the line is the question that I ask. I have no answer to that,” he said.
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What could happen next in the Balogun case?
Pending the result of Belgium’s appeal, Tuchel’s questions will no doubt be among those considered by every federation left in the tournament, and perhaps even some who are out. If this red card can suddenly be overturned, the thinking goes, why not others? Or a disallowed goal? Or a yellow card leading to suspension for a key match?
Indeed, the French Football Federation (FFF) is considering appealing a dubious yellow card that Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Olise picked up in France’s last-16 match against Paraguay, according to local media reports. Two yellow cards in different matches in the tournament mean a one-match suspension, the same punishment Balogun was set for.
Michael Olise is walking a suspension tightrope after a yellow card, unless France appeal and winImage: Charly Triballeau/AFP
FIFA could be set for a barrage of complaints and appeals. It remains to be seen, though, whether any other head of state or government will get involved, or whether they would have Infantino’s ear in the same way.
Not exactly. Brazil’s Garrincha was sent off against Chile in the semifinal of the 1962 tournament but played as Brazil won the final. However, in those days bans were decided by a committee, rather than an automatic one-match suspension.
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A closer precedent came shortly before this tournament. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo received a three-match ban for a red card in a World Cup qualifier before the tournament. However, days after meeting Trump for dinner at the White House in November, the ban was reduced from three matches to one, the other two matches suspended for a one-year probation period, similar to Balogun’s case. Cristiano Ronaldo served the one-match suspension against Armenia and did not miss any of Portugal’s World Cup games.
Some days, especially in the slower summer season, I have to search a bit for what I want to write about. Then there are days like Monday where there’s a random MLB matinee out of the blue, and that basically tells me where I’m headed. The Phillies close a series in Kansas City behind ace lefty Cristopher Sanchez with a 2:10 ET first pitch. Not too often we see a Monday series finale.
It looked there for a minute that Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski could run away with the NL Cy Young Award, and he’s still the -225 favorite. But he was just hit hard in a major rarity last Thursday in a loss to Cincinnati and that got Sanchez a bit closer on the DraftKings oddsboard, where he’s now priced +240 to win the hardware. And if Sanchez dominates today, which seems somewhat likely considering the Royals are an almost comedically bad 6-20 vs. southpaws, then they might be nearly neck-and-neck. Those 20 losses to southpaws lead the majors and the six wins are tied for the fewest.
Sanchez (10-3, 2.00 ERA) was roughed up himself two starts ago to fall out of the Cy Young lead but was back in form last Tuesday when he beat the visiting Pirates with seven shutout innings and only three hits allowed. The impressive effort came despite Sanchez dealing with a small cut on the top of his left thumb with some blood splattered on his white pants.
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“It happens sometimes when I throw the changeup,” Sánchez said via the team’s interpreter afterward. “It’s no big deal.”
It was the 29-year-old’s eighth outing this season not allowing an earned run. But because he’s usually such a big favorite, you would only be up $176 if you had wagered $100 on Philly to win each of his 18 starts.
We may well see Sanchez start next Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia as he has been named to the squad for a second time. Obviously, “the Miz” has a case to start as well and Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy has said that Misiorowski will stay in the rotation heading into the break.
That means he is due to go Tuesday in St. Louis and then Sunday in Pittsburgh. If he does pitch Sunday, then he wouldn’t pitch in the ASG on such short rest. Sanchez’s final pre-break start is scheduled for Saturday in Detroit, so he should be OK for an inning in the Midsummer Classic in his own ballpark.
For today, the SportsLine Projection Model forecasts Sanchez at 6.7 innings pitched, 6.9 strikeouts, 5.7 hits allowed and 1.9 earned runs. At DraftKings, he has been given over/under totals of 19.5 outs recorded and 6.5 Ks. There five Phillies on the NL All-Star squad thus far, tying the Dodgers for most, and I’m hoping one of them, Kyle Schwarber, competes in the Home Run Derby. And I might like him today for a dinger — see below.
Sanchez’s lone career start vs. Kansas City didn’t go well as he took a no-decision in Philly on Aug. 5, 2023, allowing six earned runs over five innings, but Sanchez wasn’t near the pitcher he is now back then. One Royals hitter does have good career splits off him in Lane Thomas, who is 6-for-12 with two doubles, but he’s having a bad year.
So are the Royals overall, sitting last in the AL Central and having dropped eight of 10 – they did win 5-2 Sunday to snap a four-game skid. I’m not sure that manager Matt Quatraro makes it through the season. The last time I saw a sportsbook post next MLB manager fired odds, he was tjhe -130 leader. Kansas City currently has three lineup regulars on the injured list. All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt (.290, 12 HR, 36 RBI, 30 SB) is having another fine year and is +500 to win AL MVP.
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Lefty Noah Cameron (4-6, 4.95) starts on the mound. He has been obliterated in back-to-back starts by the Rays to see his season ERA climb from 4.20. The only pitcher who has been a bigger money loser than Cameron (minus-$844) has been Chris Paddack (minus-900), who is no longer even in the majors after being released by a couple of teams.
Cameron has struggled at home with a 5.44 ERA, although he is 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium. His lone start vs. the Phillies came in his 2025 rookie season when Cameron won at Citizens Bank Park, allowing two runs over seven. JT Realmuto and Schwarber both hit solo homers off him in the first inning but the Royals rallied. Cameron has given up 10 dingers this year and Schwarber, the big-league leader with 30 home runs, is +353 to go yard today. That’s a pretty fair number.
Weather shouldn’t be a major factor as while it will be 85 degrees or so at first pitch, winds are apparently blowing in a bit. Just such an apparent pitching mismatch. Almost incredibly, the Phillies have won 14 of their last 16 one-run games. The model has Philadelphia winning 4.6-3.7.
Sporting director Jared Dublin has left Hull City after less than two years at the club.
BBC Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White said: “Sources have told me a breakdown in communication over personal contract talks between Dublin and the club has contributed to his departure.”
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The American initially joined the Tigers as head of recruitment in August 2024, replacing Lee Darnbrough.
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A 47-word club statement read: “Hull City has parted company with sporting director Jared Dublin with immediate effect.
“The club would like to thank Jared for his efforts throughout his time at Hull City, particularly for his contribution to our promotion to the Premier League, and wish him well for the future.”
Despite promotion to the top flight, Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) created the situation whereby a club set to receive significant funds had no choice but to sell players before the accounting period ended on 30 June.
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