Jockey Dylan Gibbons is of the firm belief that if Under Focus executes a clean start in the upcoming Golden Rose, the colt possesses the capability to contend for a top finish.

The three-year-old encountered difficulties at the beginning of the Run To The Rose (1200m), but displayed commendable closing speed to secure third place behind Warwoven and St Gotthard.

Prior to that performance, he registered a midfield finish from an outside barrier in the Rosebud (1100m). With a favourable inside draw on Saturday, Gibbons considers him a strong contender.

“First-up the draw cost him but he ran well,” Gibbons said.

“The other day he just sat down as the gates opened, but he was probably going to end up in that spot no matter what.

“When they backed the speed off, it was going to be hard to win, but I thought the fact he was able to go past a horse like Central Europe and make up two lengths on St Gotthard, that’s probably as good as he could have done from that position.

“(From that) alley, if he can jump a bit better and execute, there’s no reason why he can’t be in the top three.”

Currently listed at $11, Under Focus has favourite Guest House drawn immediately to his outside, and Gibbons acknowledges the latter as the horse to beat.

However, the Golden Slipper victor’s slightly unconventional preparation, arriving at this race directly off a first-up win in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m), and the fact that he, like Under Focus, has not yet been tested over 1400m, provides Gibbons with reasons to hope for a minor vulnerability.

“He’s had to take an untraditional route, so he’s a keen horse going second-up into a 1400,” Gibbons noted.

“He’s obviously the one to beat, but there are a few little things there that aren’t ideal for him.

“If that gets him a bit fired up, or the tempo’s not strong enough for him, it might just ruffle his feathers a little bit.

“But he has put the writing on the wall first-up, so he’ll get the respect he deserves.

“With my bloke, he’s been racing against the other ones, and I feel he’s on terms with them.”

Under Focus is prepared by Gibbons’ former mentor, Kris Lees, with both chasing their maiden triumph in this significant stallion-making event.

The pair have already collaborated for a top-level success with Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes (2400m), and Lees is confident about Under Focus’s preparation.

“We’ve been really happy with his two return runs. Obviously, just stepping a little slow in the Run To The Rose was costly but he worked home well,” Lees commented.

“He’s come through it nicely. I’m really happy with where he’s at.”

Consider the Australian betting sites for the upcoming Golden Rose.

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A pumped-up Carlos Alcaraz delighted a London crowd containing Roger Federer to win in the Laver Cup doubles alongside Jakub Mensik and put Team Europe 3-1 up after day one.

Seven-time grand slam champion Alcaraz only returned from a four-month lay-off with a wrist injury at the US Open after he missed Wimbledon and Queen’s, but kept this Ryder Cup-style event on his calendar and was in the thick of the action on Friday.

World number three Alcaraz relished his opportunity to give out coaching instructions on a first appearance of 2026 in England before he ended up on the floor in celebration after a win for Casper Ruud during the day session.

Hours later, with a silver chain on show along with a white compression sleeve on his right arm, Alcaraz brushed off a couple of early wayward volleys to sparkle at The O2 with an array of forehand winners and deft touches at the net during 87 minutes on court in front of all-time great Federer.

Alcaraz and partner Mensik downed Taylor Fritz and Alexander Bublik by a 6-4 6-4 score to bring the curtain down on an entertaining and successful first day for Team Europe after earlier wins for Ruud and Rafael Jodar.

“I am trying to have fun every place I go and every court I play on and especially doubles,” Alcaraz said during his on-court interview.

“I try to enjoy, try to be better and try to improve my tennis, my things and a couple of adjustments.

“I am trying to enjoy as much as I can and having a partner like Jakub, it is really easy to have fun on the court.”

Mensik added: “We didn’t do it that much to be honest during the week, and especially me.

“For Carlos, it doesn’t matter if he plays singles or doubles, I think he could be world number one even in doubles!”

Ruud kicked off the action and marked his sixth appearance for Team Europe with a 6-7 (4) 6-4 10-8 victory over Francisco Cerundolo to floor a jubilant Alcaraz.

Alcaraz was in the ear of the two-time French Open runner-up Ruud during a difficult first set and the Norwegian eventually clinched the opener in London after a tense final point in the match tie-break.

It ended with Alcaraz in a heap on top of team-mates Jodar and Flavio Cobolli after a Ruud winner before the Spaniard got up to join the celebrations, but Team World debutant Brandon Nakashima got Andre Agassi’s men on the board with win over Mensik.

After Nakashima was victorious by a 6-1 3-6 10-7 score, the American was labelled “AI” by captain Agassi.

“He’s rock solid,” Agassi said. “I’m not convinced he is real. I think he is AI. He just goes about his business point after point after point.”

Spanish sensation Jodar dismantled Bublik in emphatic fashion but only after he required the help of captain Yannick Noah to assist with more shoelace issues in the third game.

Jodar has risen up the rankings during the past 12 months and yet caused occasional ire with frequent problems with his trainers. After he resolved this issue and received encouragement from Alcaraz, the big-hitting 20-year-old smashed his way to a 6-2 6-3 win in front of Federer.

“I’m very happy to represent (Team Europe) and I also want to thank Roger who was in the stands watching me. It’s a pleasure,” Jodar said.

All eyes were then on Alcaraz and he did not disappoint.

An early bullet forehand down the line was a sign of things to come and a succession of volleys at the net, including on match point, inspired Team Europe to a 3-1 lead after day one.

Cody Rhodes was interrupted by a long-time rival tonight on WWE SmackDown. He also gave a major spoiler amid rumors of his turning heel.

Cody Rhodes was interrupted on WWE SmackDown after he gave a spoiler

On WWE SmackDown tonight, Cody Rhodes came out and spoke about Randy Orton. The star spoke about how the Viper was putting him in an unwinnable position, where he would be the loser whether he remained a babyface or turned heel. He boasted about how he was the one who always dealt with unwinnable positions, where he’d be hated no matter what he did, like facing John Cena or being asked to sell his soul.

“What I know and what I need to do are two different things. What I need to do is address the lunatic ranting and raving to Michael Cole earlier, and that being Randy Orton. Randy Orton talking about all the changes in my career and that I’ve already been compromised. He framed it so that if I punt Randy Orton, it’s somehow a good thing and somehow a bad thing. He’s made it an unwinnable position for me. An unwinnable position. I’ve been asked by my boss in front of 40,000 people to give him my soul. I had to defeat John Cena on his retirement run. My entire first run as WWE Champion was against beloved and deeply connected with everyone one of you, WWE Superstars. I am the king of unwinnable positions.”

Cody Rhodes went on to say that, to him, it was simple. He said that he would hit Orton with the punt if the opportunity came, but then he gave a spoiler about turning heel, saying that it would not be only Orton that he attacked.

“We are going to keep this simple. We’re gonna keep this black and white. Position. The position you will be in Randy Orton is the same one where I hesitate. But this time. This time, I promise you, I am going to kick your head off your shoulders. What I can’t promise you, is you’ll be the only one.”

On top of this, after the promo, as he had just finished speaking, he was interrupted by CM Punk. The star’s music played before Rhodes had exited, as he made his way out to the ring for his qualifier match for Money in the Bank. The two long-time rivals came face to face with each other, in a moment where the tension could be felt through the screen.