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Columbus secures victory at Randwick-Kensington meeting in 2026

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Champion jockey James McDonald has been rewarded for his persistent belief in Columbus, sticking with the horse through a couple of recent defeats to secure a midweek win at Randwick’s Kensington track.

The son of Dundeel, a horse McDonald rode to six Group 1 wins, was initially considered a potential classic contender in the autumn before a setback ruled him out of the carnival. Since returning with a first-up victory at Newcastle in July, the four-year-old has not quite lived up to expectations, having been beaten in two subsequent runs as the favourite.

While his bounce back in Wednesday’s TAB Handicap (1800m) was only in midweek grade, McDonald stated it was a step in the right direction for the entire, who is prepared by Hall of Fame trainer Les Bridge.

“I still reckon he can go better than that,” McDonald said. “He’s just doing enough at the moment. I’m sure Les will coach the best out of him. He’s in the right hands and he’ll go through the grades. He just needs a bit of confidence. He’s a lovely type, as you can see, but there is more to give.”

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The Chris Waller stable also presented a winner they believe has more to offer in three-year-old colt Wonka ($4.20). The Snitzel colt led home a first-four for the yard in the Inglis Xtra Bonus Handicap (1550m), defeating Unhinged ($3.60 equal fav) by a length, with Cotoletta Cut ($41) another short half-head away third, and True Tone making ground from last for fourth.

Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, shared that Wonka was going to be gelded if he did not perform, and while he has earned a reprieve, he still needs to improve his race craft.

Duckworth was also pleased they made the correct decision to step him up in distance, a move that had been debated after his minor placings at Warwick Farm the previous week.

“Jason (Collett) rode him seven days ago and he can be quite aggressive. He wasn’t convinced whether we actually brought him back in distance,” Duckworth said. “But we thought stretching him out in distance might actually settle him down. He runs a little bit on fear, and if the slower tempo could allow him to see the distance out we thought that would be the path to go. It worked out well today, and he was strong through the line.”

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Wonka holds nominations for the Golden Rose (1400m) and the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), but Duckworth indicated the horse still has “some kinks in his armour” that need to be ironed out before he rises in grade.

Compare Australian betting sites for the best racing odds.

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Vikings Snag a Final Gust of Good News Ahead of Weekend Game

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11 September 2026

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Every little bit helps, right?

The Vikings snagged some good news ahead of the upcoming Packers game. Earlier in the week, a trio of rookies — S Jakobe Thomas, S Jacob Thomas, and OL Caleb Tiernan — were limited due to injuries that needed some time to heal up. None of these players will go into the game with an injury designation, per Kevin O’Connell.

Vikings Snag Nice Health Update

Had the Vikings needed to rest the three players in question, Minnesota would have been fine.

Short-term ailments that involve losing third-string safety talent and a backup offensive lineman isn’t the end of the world. But, to be sure, any coach is going to be thrilled to have all available talent ready to roll for a game. Quite possibly, this could be the only week in the 2026 season where everyone is an option to go out there.

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Of the three names above, it’s Jacob Thomas who appears to offer the most promise. The UDFA looked smooth out there in practice and in the preseason, evidently putting in a pile of work to ensure he could look effortless. Watch for him to be a special teams help as a minimum.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Jacob Thomas (39) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Otherwise, Coach O’Connell mentioned that left tackle Christian Darrisaw and safety Harrison Smith each had rest days. In Darrisaw’s case, that’s been the norm since coming back from his brutal knee injury. In Smith’s case, that’s due to being ancient (at least by NFL standards) and due to just getting back days ago.

Both are going to play in Week 1.

Green Bay’s end of things isn’t nearly so promising.

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In particular, there’s the absence of Micah Parsons, an elite talent who demands extra attention on a snap-by-snap basis. He’s still working to overcome a serious injury that robbed him of the end of the 2025 season. The Packers could obviously still win the game, but the timing of the NFC North game means the Vikings are lucky.

Kevin O’Connell would be well served to lean on the ground game more than in the past. Leaning on Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason means being able to offer some elegance and meanness, depending on what’s needed. Mason looks like a breakout candidate as somebody who can wallop a defense that’s leaving just six or seven defenders in the box.

Otherwise, all eyes will be on Kyler Murray. Seeing him ignite Justin Jefferson will mean that Vikings fans are going to doing cartwheels.

Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons against the Vikings in 2025
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Kevin O’Connell is going into his fifth season as the head coach. So far, he has proven formidable in the regular season but not so in the playoffs. He’ll therefore be looking to stack wins in the coming months as he tries to overcome the NFC’s best teams once January of 2027 arrives.

The Vikings’ Week 1 game gets started at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday, September 13th.

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O.J. Simpson’s ex-girlfriend arrested in North Dakota over drug possession charges

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29 minutes ago

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11 September 2026

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O.J. Simpson’s former longtime partner Christie Prody has been arrested in North Dakota on multiple narcotics charges, according to reports.

Prody was taken into custody by the West Fargo Police Department and booked on three separate counts, per records from the Cass County Jail. The counts include possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance (a depressant), and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Her booking mugshot have also been released by authorities, as law enforcement continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the case.

Prody dated O.J. Simpson for 12 to 13 years. Their relationship started shortly after his 1995 acquittal in the double murder trial of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

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Prody’s latest arrest adds to a long history of legal troubles and struggle with substance use. Police records from Miami-Dade County reveal she was named in at least 18 police incidents during her time with the late NFL Hall of Famer.

These include multiple domestic disputes and a misdemeanor marijuana charge. She was also once charged to a Clay County District Court, where she pled guilty to burglary and drug possession.

This was after allegations of stealing prescription pain medication from an elderly couple while working as an in-home nursing assistant. She was subsequently sentenced to 45 days in jail and 10 years probation.

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Defense attorney Ken Kludt highlighted her struggle with methamphetamine and oxycodone addiction at the time.

Christie Prody’s relationship with O.J. Simpson

Prody spoke about her relationship with the controversial former football player in a 2009 interview on ABC’s Good Morning America. She detailed physical and emotional abuse she endured during the relationship in the interview.

She also stated that she eventually accepted that Simpson was responsible for the 1994 homicide of Brown and Goldman. While the former Buffalo Bills running back escaped criminal liability in the case, he was found liable a civil suit.

However, he would eventually serve prison time in Nevada for a 2007 armed robbery conviction. He passed away in 2024 after battling with cancer.

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O.J. Simpson’s brilliant football career has often been overshadowed by his widely televised 1995 murder trial. However, prior to that, he spent 11 seasons in the NFL playing for the Bills and later the San Francisco 49ers.

Regarded as one of the greatest running backs to play the game, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.