Tropicus gifts Freedman Oakleigh Plate 2026 glory on birthday

Published

4 hours ago

22 February 2026

On his 30th birthday, trainer Sam Freedman received an unforgettable Group 1 boost from Tropicus.

The son of Too Darn Hot, aged four, captured his initial black-type elite win by eclipsing the field in Saturday’s $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) conducted at Caulfield.

Tropicus, the $7.50 chance and reserve for Freedman and co-trainer Anthony behind hot $2.60 pick Point Barrow, delighted with his elite debut, which the trainer sees as a pathway to more.

“He’s a proper horse, he deserves that,” Freedman said.

“As a three-year-old he raced against some of the best, Broadsiding and a few really proper colts.

“He’s got better as an entire and is one of those horses that just trains on and on and on.

“We’ve seen him get better this prep and you wouldn’t rule out him going to another level again.”

Tropicus prevailed under 58.5kg, the highest weight for a Caulfield sprint victor post-1973 metrics, in a race favoring top weights.

Hedged ($20, 59kg) was runner-up 1-1/4 lengths back, with Jedibeel ($18, 58.5kg) fourth, a long-head shy of Gallant Son ($8.50, 52kg) who was third.

For jockey Craig Williams, it was a first-time Oakleigh Plate conquest, following his Futurity Stakes score on Pericles earlier, and he valued the booking.

“I got given a really good gift today,” he said.

“They rang me up early and said, ‘We think he’s the right horse for the race’, my manager agreed, so he gets credit for that.

“Even his jumpouts, that I haven’t been a part of, but watched him, they’ve left the headgear off him and just saved it for the race day today.”

In Newmarket Handicap markets, Tropicus is $11 amid Tentyris dominance, yet Freedman eyes the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield March 21 instead.

Visit leading betting sites to check betting markets for the race like the Oakleigh Plate.

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Shakur Stevenson sums up Ryan Garcia’s performance against Mario Barrios

Published

1 minute ago

22 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Shakur Stevenson has shared his verdict on Ryan Garcia‘s victory over Mario Barrios.

Garcia became world champion for the first time in his career when he defeated Barrios by unanimous decision to capture the WBC welterweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Heading into the bout, many fans saw the match-up as a 50-50 affair, but ‘King Ry’ ensured it went nothing like that as he scored a knockout in the opening moments of the fight and then dominated virtually every round.

Following his victory, Garcia was quick to announce that he is now interested in a showdown against four-weight world champion Stevenson, and it seems the WBO super-lightweight champion was impressed with what he saw from his potential future foe.

Speaking on the DAZN broadcast, Stevenson praised the showing from Garcia, likening it to one of the past displays from ‘King Ry.’

“I think Ryan looked good. He put on a good performance.
I don’t know what Barrios was doing out there. Ryan was looking like the Ryan that beat Devin Haney.”

Garcia had beaten Haney back in April 2024, only for the result to be overturned to a no contest after he failed a drugs test and subsequently received a 12-month ban.

Stevenson has said he would be more than happy to face ‘King Ry’ next, but whilst referencing that past failed test, he insisted that VADA testing would have to be in place for the bout, and also revealed the weight stipulation that he would want.

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Marc Guehi makes Pep Guardiola admission and discusses life at Man City – ‘Had to change completely’

Published

14 minutes ago

22 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Marc Guehi could have sealed a move to Liverpool last summer but instead he finds himself playing a key role in Manchester City’s push to reclaim their Premier League crown.

Marc Guehi has admitted he has had to “change his game completely” since his move to Manchester City but that he is loving life at the Etihad. Guehi moved to City in the mid-season transfer window and has made a seamless transition to life under Pep Guardiola.

Guehi hasn’t missed a minute of Premier League football since his switch the the Etihad and has already cemented his place as a first-choice pick in City’s backline.

The former Crystal Palace defender played the full 90 minutes as City secured what could be a crucial three points against Newcastle on Saturday night. Guehi was asked to reflect on his opening month at the club after the game and he admitted he has had to make a lot of changes but the switch has helped him grow as a player.

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“It’s a top club. Since I came here, everyone has been so welcoming – players and staff,” Guehi told City’s in-house media. “ I have had to change my game completely. I am learning every day.

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“When to pass the ball, committing players – so many aspects I am learning on the job. It’s been great because I have had a lot of help. How you see Pep on TV is what he is like – passionate, intense and a winner. He wants to play his way. I am just glad I have the opportunity to be here.”

City’s win over Newcastle kept the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Guardiola’s side know if they win all of their remaining league games they will be crowned champions and Guehi was delighted to help his team record three points against an in-form Newcastle.

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“These games are always difficult – always tough to play in,” he added. “Newcastle show intensity, endeavour and quality – it’s a really good win. Maybe not a statement win but one which puts us in a good position.”

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Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue win at WEF

Published

28 minutes ago

22 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue won the $116,100 Adequan® CSI5* WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 last night at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida.

Eleven combinations advanced to the tiebreaker, with the Irish representatives coming out in top over Andy Christiansen’s (ECU) jump-off course.

Irish 1-2

The 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding stopped the clock at 37.90 seconds with Wexford’s Bertram Allen right behind in 39.12 seconds riding Conquest de Rigo.

Taking third was Charlotte Jacobs (USA) in a time of 40.01 seconds riding North Star’s Playboy JT Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding.

Kenny delighted to be back in action

“I knew Bertram’s horse has a massive stride,” Kenny admitted. “He did seven [strides] from one to two. I wasn’t sure if I could do that, but it showed up for me. I think my horse is more experienced than his in jump-offs, so that’s probably where it got him,” said Kenny of his jump-off round with his 2025 European Championships partner Eddy Blue.

Kenny was officially cleared to return to international competition on 13 February after the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) lifted a provisional suspension issued on 13 October following a positive drug test during the FEI European Championships.

“This is my first week back – Bertram rode Eddy for me recently and did a fantastic job on him,” said the Irish Olympian. “The horse feels ready to go, and he was amazing today as he always is. I’m very lucky to have such a fantastic group of owners and staff who kept the horses in great shape. I was lucky Bertram was able to ride them for me – I’m very thankful to everybody who was involved in that.”