In recent seasons, Pinstriped has been a regular competitor in the late winter weight-for-age races.

However, following an extended break after his spring campaign last year, Pinstriped is set to aim for a fitness advantage over his spring rivals when he contests the Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

For the past three years, trainer Enver Jusufovic has initiated Pinstriped’s spring campaign in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, scheduled for next month.

Jusufovic is again planning to target that race, where Pinstriped has previously finished second twice and seventh last year. This time, however, the Cranbourne-based horseman wanted the gelding to have an earlier run.

Pinstriped hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in the Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham in December, but he has completed two jump-outs in preparation for his Saturday appearance.

Jusufovic granted Pinstriped a more substantial break after last year’s spring, feeling the gelding was not performing at his best.

“Physically, I thought he was in great shape, he just didn’t really come up,” Jusufovic commented.

“He was hesitant to go into the barriers on most occasions and then slow out and was getting that pair further back than you would have liked.

“I made the effort to give him a long break. He had a good four months, and I thought I would work him a little bit different this time, more from a sprinting mould and he’s come back really nice and bright.

“His action is good, his back is brilliant, I couldn’t be happier with it, and you see him rolling all-the-time now.

“He does a lot of dressage and is leading on his right leg and he’s done so much of it, he could go to a show.”

Pinstriped experiences ‘kissing spine’ issues, prompting Jusufovic to utilise dressage rather than opt for surgery.

Jusufovic explained that the dressage work functions as conditioning, analogous to human gym workouts, for developing the hindquarters of horses.

“With dressage, you are getting them to use their body properly,” Jusufovic said.

“He’s using his hind quarter which builds them up, so it is a bit similar to gym work where you do the exercises properly to build those areas.”

Jusufovic has not outlined any plans beyond the P B Lawrence Stakes, preferring to evaluate Pinstriped’s performance on Saturday and in his subsequent outing.

“Lachie Neindorf trialled him last week and was of the opinion to keep him on the fresh side and he suggested 1400 (metres) first-up,” Jusufovic relayed.

“This race came up and while he’s got 62 kilos, he’s a big horse and can carry it.

“He probably deserves the weight and it’s a good time to kick him off, nice and early, and after this run, he can have a week off.

“He can go to the P B Lawrence but after that, nothing’s set in concrete and it all depends on each performance, keep him fresh, rather than go two weeks, two weeks, two weeks.

“It appears there’s a bit more depth in the Group 1 ranks this year, so we can pick what we want to do.

“Hopefully I don’t have the same prep I had with him last time, otherwise there might not be another prep with him.”

Keen to get involved in the betting for Saturday’s Caulfield races? Explore the available betting markets for the race at betting sites.

In a significant development for Australian racing, The Golden Eagle has been elevated to Group 1 status for the upcoming 2026-27 season, increasing the national tally of elite races to 77. This announcement came with the assurance that the Metropolitan, Victoria Derby, and Railway Stakes will maintain their Group 1 standing, having been reviewed for potential downgrades.

The Australian Racing Federation (ARF) has indicated that 30 races have either received upgrades or newly acquired stakes status. New South Wales benefits significantly, with 22 races seeing enhancements. Among these, the Concorde Stakes, Kingston Town Stakes, Craven Plate, and City Tatts Lightning Stakes have all been promoted from Group 3 to Group 2. The Heritage Stakes also moves up from Listed to Group 3.

Several NSW races are being introduced to stakes status for the first time. The Invitation, Russell Balding Stakes, and 7 Stakes are now designated as Group 2 races. The Five Diamonds and The Gong have been upgraded to Group 3, while The Silver Eagle, Golden Gift, Big Dance, The Warra, The Hunter, and The Beauford have been confirmed as Listed races.

Victoria sees upgrades for the Poseidon Stakes, Cap D’Antibes Stakes, Spring Preview, and Chautauqua Stakes, all moving from Listed to Group 3 level.

Some races considered for elevation have retained their current classifications. The Shorts remains a Group 2 event, and the San Domenico Stakes and Toy Show Quality continue as Group 3 races.

The ARF had placed the Metropolitan, Victoria Derby, and Railway Stakes under scrutiny for possible downgrades, but ultimately decided to uphold their Group 1 status.

The Golden Eagle, a race exclusively for four-year-olds, was established in 2019 and has rapidly become one of the season’s premier events, justifying its promotion to Group 1.

The mare Autumn Glow enhanced the race’s growing reputation with her victory over Sepals and Evaporate last year. International winners Obamburumai (2023) and Lake Forest (2024) preceded her triumph.

Past winners of The Golden Eagle include Kolding (2019), Colette (2020), I’m Thunderstruck (2021), and I Wish I Win (2022).

These changes to the black-type race structure follow the Asian Pattern Committee’s assumption of responsibility for the Australian Pattern system from Racing Australia late last year.

The APC held a special meeting last week to finalise the status of Australian black-type races for the commencement of the new racing season on August 1.

“A key purpose of this special meeting was to enable the ARF to assist the Australian industry to be fully informed of any changes ahead of the next running of these races, while other races in Racing Australia’s application are to be further considered by the APC at its next meeting in September,” the ARF statement read.

“The ARF has been clear on the requirement that Racing Australia establish a functioning system operating in accordance with the APC Ground Rules, and will provide a further update when it is considered appropriate for the above arrangements to end (or any other necessary actions to be taken by the ARF if such a system is not established).”

Racing Australia was formally advised of and agreed to the Pattern changes last week.

The ARF stepped in to manage the black-type races after the Australian Pattern Committee had become ineffective for several years due to internal disagreements among state racing bodies.

A seven-member Black Type Advisory Group, comprising industry leaders such as Sebastian Hutch (Inglis), Barry Bowditch (Magic Millions), Antony Thompson (Widden Stud), Andy Makiv (Godolphin Australia), Jon Freyer (Arrowfield Stud), Duncan Grimley, and Adrian Hancock, subsequently presented recommendations to the APC for a significant overhaul of the nation’s black-type races.

“(The handicappers) held a special conference to determine the end-of-season 2025/26 ratings for horses rated above 112 in the ARF jurisdictions (including Australia), as well as the ratings for the first four placed horses in all Group 1 races run in the ARF Pattern,” the APC statement said.

“These ratings were considered by the APC in the relevant decision-making process.”

As The Golden Eagle ascends to Group 1 status, consider exploring the competitive racing betting markets available.

Proxima Dea displayed impressive tenacity, leading from the outset and successfully fending off a persistent challenge from Defensemen to achieve a narrow victory in the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap, run over 1400 metres.

Despite being the outsider of the field at odds of $51, Proxima Dea’s tough performance was not a surprise to trainer David Payne.

“I think she’s going to make a good horse, she’s my Oaks filly for the spring,” Payne explained. “The plan was to lead today and make them try and run her down. She’s tough and she will stay – her stamina kicked in when the other horse came at her.”

Ridden by Reece Jones, Proxima Dea ($51) appeared to be under pressure as Defensemen ($4.60) drew alongside and took the lead midway down the straight. However, Payne’s filly fought back on the inside to secure a deserved win. Woodenbridge ($8.50) encountered interference at the top of the straight and performed well to finish third, two-and-a-half lengths adrift, while the favourite Rumdabar ($3.10) struggled on the heavy track and finished fifth.

Jones remarked that Proxima Dea showed great determination when Defensemen made his run.

“She fought hard and really wanted to win,” Jones told Payne. “She’s only going to be better for the experience, too.”

With a pedigree suited to staying, Proxima Dea is by Tarzino from Invisible Coin, making her a full sister to the 2022 Queensland Oaks winner, Gypsy Goddess.

Payne manages a small string of horses at Rosehill, but the champion trainer always has quality stock, and he may now boast three highly promising three-year-old fillies in Proxima Dea, Krasina, and the exciting sprinter Bangkok Hottie.

“I will have a think about what we do with Proxima Dea but ultimately she’s out Oaks filly,” Payne stated. “Bangkok Hottie is back in work and we will aim her at the Princess Series (Silver Shadow Stakes, Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes and Flight Stakes) in the spring. “And don’t forget about Krasina, she’s another very talented filly. It’s nice to have some good ones going into the new season.”

For the latest Australian Betting Sites, check out our guide.

Michael Carrick still needs one crucial addition ahead of the start to the new season

Manchester United mustn’t let a slow start in the transfer market stunt their intent.

The Reds came into the transfer window knowing they were in urgent need of midfield reinforcements, given Casemiro’s departure. Manuel Ugarte’s recent injury has only added to that sense of urgency.

They have been proactive in their various pursuits – and the results are now starting to show. Atalanta and Brazil star Ederson’s £38.8million transfer is expected to be wrapped up shortly.

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Ederson is set to partner his fellow new arrival and compatriot, Andrey Santos, in midfield, with United having secured the 22-year-old from Chelsea in a £50m deal. Alongside his revamped midfield, head coach Michael Carrick is expected to benefit from a third signing, goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who is set to join on a free transfer from Leeds United.

Yet, despite the dopamine rush of three new players being landed in quick succession, it’s fair to say none of those exactly scream ‘Premier League title-winning quality’. As such, there is still a feeling of expectancy among the Old Trafford faithful, who are awaiting a star-calibre signing.

Fortunately, United are not expected to stop just yet. An elite central midfielder remains a top priority, just as it has been all summer. The Reds have been linked with several big names, including Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, in that position.

But they lost out on all three players to rival Premier League clubs after being priced out in a heavily inflated market. Now, they need to ensure that doesn’t happen again by moving quickly for their third midfield signing of the transfer window, with Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount being the only options Carrick has at his disposal with the exception of the two Brazilian signings.

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is who United should pursue next as their marquee addition. The 22-year-old future England international has been on the club’s radar for some time and would take Carrick’s midfield up a level with his quality.

The roaming box-to-box playmaker would pair well with one of the new additions or Mainoo. He showed his reliability by making 37 Premier League appearances last term, where his ball retention and duel-winning impressed several of the league’s bigger clubs.

The Cherries do not want to sell him this summer and are hoping to secure him on a new contract. But that’s all the more reason for the Old Trafford hierarchy to act fast and match the £80m price-tag Bournemouth have slapped on him.

Reports suggest the Guernsey-born player would welcome a transfer to Old Trafford, giving United bosses all the fuel they need to ensure they do not miss out on another potential world-class player.

If they successfully land Scott, they might then turn their attention to the forward line. United have already shown an interest in signing a left winger, notably Crysencio Summerville, but Marcus Rashford’s future will need to be resolved first, given the United veteran’s astronomical wages.

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Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis put in a performance of the year candidate to become a unified super-welterweight world champion last month. Now, the Philadelphian is being linked to a host of major fights in the 154lb division, but promoter Eddie Hearn believes that there is one clear frontrunner. 

Ennis dethroned Xander Zayas in style, halting the Puerto Rican inside six rounds to capture the WBA and WBO super-welterweight marbles and announce himself as the man to beat in the super-welterweight scene.

Since then, Ennis has been mentioned for meetings with WBC world champion, Sebastian Fundora, and long-term rival, Vergil Ortiz Jnr – who is yet to fight since November due to an ongoing lawsuit with Golden Boy Promotions.

Although, Fundora is now expected to take on mandatory challenger, Ermal Hadribeaj, who claimed the WBC Silver title by outpointing Bakary Samake in May.

However, one man that will presumably be available is IBF world titleholder, Josh Kelly, who is also promoted by Hearn. Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn unveiled that there is a ‘very good chance that Kelly will fight Ennis in November’, if he successfully retains his belt in a well-rumoured maiden title defence later this month.

“Boots wants all of the belts, he is desperate to become undisputed. Josh Kelly is fighting [on the Anthony Joshua undercard], I know it’s the worst kept secret in the world, there will be an undercard announcement soon.”

“When he [Kelly] comes through that fight, there is a very good chance that Josh Kelly will fight Boots in November. Yes, [in America].”  

It is understood that Kelly will face off with Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko on the Joshua-Prenga undercard on Saturday, July 25, with a victory seemingly teeing up a major unification affair between he and Ennis, which would likely take place in Philadelphia.

Manny Pacquiao attempted to break his own record as the oldest welterweight world champion in history last year, but had to settle for a draw against Mario Barrios. He may now get a second chance.

Pacquiao returned to professional action in July 2025 to challenge then-WBC champion Barrios. Had he won, he would have extended the record he first set by defeating Keith Thurman in 2019 at the age of 40.

The majority draw was enough to keep ‘PacMan’s comeback alive, and he subsequently booked a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. That bout has since been postponed due to the American’s ongoing legal issues, leaving Pacquiao open to another fight before it is eventually rescheduled.

Should he decide to challenge for a world title at 147lbs again, Australia’s Liam Paro – who claimed the IBF belt last month with victory over Lewis Crocker – appears ready and willing.

Speaking to The Australian before Paro’s win over Crocker, the Australian’s promoter George Rose of No Limit Boxing made it clear that Pacquiao was his dream opponent.

“Manny is the one fight we want to make for Liam. Imagine Manny coming back to Australia.

“Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Rolly Romero all hold world titles at welterweight, but we don’t have to do a unification fight.

“When Jeff Horn fought Manny, he didn’t have the belt. It would be unreal. Imagine doing a card with Manny, Paro and possibly the two Tszyus. It would be sensational.”

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Paro was Jeff Horn’s chief sparring partner ahead of the Australian’s upset victory over Pacquiao in 2017, one of the most controversial decisions of the Filipino legend’s career.

Fighting in front of more than 50,000 fans at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight title via unanimous decision despite many observers believing he had done enough to retain it, particularly after nearly stopping Horn in the ninth round. Pacquiao later accused Horn of repeatedly using headbutts and elbows throughout the contest.

A return to Australia with the chance to make history once again could therefore prove an attractive option for Pacquiao, although mandatory challenger Paddy Donovan may have something to say about whether Paro is free to pursue such a blockbuster.