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Nolen achieves 2000th victory via Sheza Alibi in 2026 Randwick Guineas

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Overly focused on finding ideal descriptors for Sheza Alibi’s rout in the Randwick Guineas, pilot Luke Nolen got a reminder that the filly supplied him with an extraordinary career benchmark.

Nolen’s 2000th professional win came in that Group 1 – despite him not tallying it mentally.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” Nolen said.

“Every time you get close to a milestone, your form seems to evade you.

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“Two thousand wins, a Group One winner in Sydney, it feels pretty good.”

Perfectly timed, Nolen shared the celebration with coach Peter Moody, whose partnership yielded racing’s top honors with phenomenal sprinter Black Caviar.

True, Sheza Alibi must travel a considerable distance to rival that legacy, but as a filly she’s brimming with promise and surmounted a crucial exam by besting colts and geldings in the Saturday Randwick Guineas (1600m), the first filly to do so against males since Mosheen’s 2012 feat.

“She is just something special, this filly,” said Katherine Coleman, who trains her in partnership with Moody.

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“She put the writing on the wall previously, but this has been her hardest test to date and to put a quality field away like that? Wowee, I’m shaking.”

Nolen kept steady early on as horses vied for running room, then when Sheza Alibi ($2.10 fav) found stride over the rise, her sharp acceleration made the win inevitable.

She surged to a decisive 3-1/4 lengths success over Autumn Boy ($3.60), with Attica ($11) third a couple more lengths away.

Even with such a polished display, Coleman expects no immediate follow-up, choosing a thorough break for the three-year-old to gear up for the next season.

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“The plan always was to have a pretty light autumn because she had such a deep spring preparation,” she said.

“So her and I will be on the road back to Melbourne tomorrow morning. We will see how she comes through it. I wouldn’t be surprised if we put her away now and save her for the spring.”

Regarding a future Cox Plate tilt, Coleman expressed openness.

“Possibly. We will let the dust settle today – never make plans on race day, but that idea is in the back of our minds,” she said.

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The Moody-Nolen alliance holds 35 Group 1s and 909 total wins, leading all active Australian trainer-jockey teams.

Per Nolen, the figures reflect their profound connection and steadfastness, bolstered lately by Coleman’s training role.

“We’ve stuck it out a long time, Peter and myself,” Nolen said.

“It goes a long way to show the people we are – resilient, forgiving and loyal – three words I would never mind being described for me ever, and the two of us have got it in spades.

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“Katherine is a late addition, but she’s a welcome one. She hasn’t given me a spray yet, but I’m sure it’s coming.”

Autumn Boy earned “gallant” from James McDonald, who lauded his effort in defeat, while Adam Hyeronimus on Attica opined the Spring Champion Stakes champ seeks longer.

“Once he gets to the 300 (metres), he starts to get going so he just needs distance,” Hyeronimus said.

Visit online bookmakers to check racing odds for races such as the Randwick Guineas.

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India crash out of AFC Women’s Asian Cup without a single point after 1-3 loss to Chinese Taipei | Football News

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India crash out of AFC Women’s Asian Cup without a single point after 1-3 loss to Chinese Taipei
India vs Chinese Taipei (Photo from @IndianFootball on X)

NEW DELHI: India crashed out of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after losing 1-3 to Chinese Taipei in a crucial group-stage match on Tuesday. The result ended India’s campaign despite the team dominating large portions of the game and creating several chances but failing to convert them.India needed to win by at least two goals to keep their hopes alive, especially after earlier defeats to Japan and Vietnam. Although Japan beat Vietnam 4-0 in the other match, India could not produce the required result.Chinese Taipei took the lead early in the 12th minute after a defensive error. A poor back pass from Sanju left goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu out of position, allowing Y H Su to score into an empty net. India responded with attacking intent and eventually equalised in the 39th minute, when Manisha Kalyan unleashed a powerful long-range strike to score India’s only goal.However, just before half-time, Chinese Taipei regained the lead in dramatic fashion. After Pyari Xaxa handled the ball in the box, a penalty was awarded. Although Y Y Hsu struck the post, the rebound deflected off Panthoi and rolled into the net, putting India behind again.India pushed hard in the second half and created several opportunities but failed to finish them. Their attacking efforts left gaps at the back, which Chinese Taipei exploited in the 77th minute when Yu-Chin Chen ran through the defence and scored the third goal after rounding the goalkeeper.India had a few late chances through Sanfida and Manisha, but the Chinese Taipei goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep them out. The defeat meant India exited the tournament despite qualifying for the competition on merit for the first time and putting up a spirited performance.

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Cheltenham Festival 2026 live: Champion Day results and tips before 4:00 Champion Hurdle after Johnnywho wins Ultima

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Lossiemouth one of the ‘best backed’ horses of the day

Time for the main event of day one at 4pm – the Champion Hurdle.

Lossiemouth has generated a lot of hype – with BOYLE Sports stating that the seven-year-old mare is ‘one of the best backed horses of the day’.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BOYLE Sports, said: “Birthday boy JP McManus has already been in the winners’ enclosure twice today, but punters have been keen to take on The New Lion in the Champion Hurdle. Lossiemouth has been all the rage in the betting and is one of the best backed horses of the day.”

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Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:53

WATCH: Johnnywho upsets favourite Jagwar

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:41

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3.20 – Handicap Chase results

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:39

Winning jockey Richie McLernon ‘thrilled’ with Johnnywho

Richie McLernon is speaking to ITV: “I thought the ground was a little quick. Everything just unfolded for me. Jumped when I need him to, he answered every call. Absolutely thrilled.”

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:33

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JohnnyWho wins Handicap Chase

Jagwar making ground on Quebecois over the final hurdle, but it is Johnnywho that takes the Handicap Chase! Quebecois gave it all but clearly did not have the outright pace on the final run-in.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:28

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3.20 – Handicap Chase

Quebecois has opened up a gap again ahead of the final three jumps. Margaret’s Legacy makes a mistake on the third-last jump, costing the challenger.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:27

3.20 – Handicap Chase

The final open ditch is navigated well by the entire field. Three hurdles to go, with Quebecois still first.

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Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:26

3.20 – Handicap Chase

Eight fences to go, and Quebecois does not want to relinquish a lead held all race. Jagwar is edging towards the front, but the favourite has work to do.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:25

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3.20 – Handicap Chase

Still Quebecois in the lead, opening up a bigger gap over Margaret’s Legacy. Knight of Allen almost buckles but recovers well, at the cost of falling way off the group.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:24

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3.20 – Handicap Chase

Jagwar remains a way off the leaders with 12 fences to go. We still have a full field.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:23

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“He’s certainly up there” – Chelsea legend John Terry claims Blues are ‘lucky’ to have summer signing in their squad

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Chelsea legend John Terry has showered special praise on Blues summer signing Joao Pedro, claiming the player is one of the best strikers in the Premier League.

Pedro, 24, hit the ground running at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after departing Brighton & Hove Albion in a £60 million deal last July. He scored three times in the Club World Cup, helping the Blues lift the trophy in the process.

The Brazilian has maintained his fine form in the ongoing 2025-26 season as well, finding the back of the net 18 times in 39 games across competitions for Chelsea. He has also laid out nine assists for his new teammates so far.

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After Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior labelled Pedro a ‘world-class striker’ earlier this week, Terry has echoed a similar sentiment about the former Watford star. The 45-year-old former Blues captain said on TikTok (h/t Metro):

“Big praise from Liam Rosenior this week for Joao Pedro who has been in excellent form and we are very lucky to have him. He’s scoring goals but the variety of goals he scores, he scores goals with his left foot, he scores goals with his head. He shows great composure one-on-one where he does that little dink over goalkeepers as well.”

Likening Pedro’s playing style to Blues icon Didier Drogba, he added:

“I think his link-up play has been excellent as well, it’s got better and better week after week and that’s only going to grow and improve as he grows and gets a little bit older. It just enables you to hit him. We had the same when Didier played as well. You can hit him when you’re under a little bit of pressure and get yourself up the pitch and in the opposition half.”

Lauding the Brazilian’s work rate off the ball, Terry concluded:

“I love that he does the dirty work as well. When strikers are prepared to do the dirty work, it makes everyone else’s job a little bit easier and he’s often the one setting the tone in games as well. I’m expecting loads more to come from him, he’s certainly up there with the best strikers in the league this year.”

How have other Chelsea strikers performed?

Apart from Joao Pedro, Chelsea also signed another striker in Liam Delap in 2025. Subsequently, the Blues sent Nicolas Jackson on loan to Bayern Munich, and sold Christopher Nkunku to AC Milan last summer.

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Delap, 23, has struggled to find his feet amid Pedro’s excellent run of form. He has netted just three goals in 34 overall matches for his new side since leaving Ipswich Town for around £30 million last June.

On the other hand, Marc Guiu has only made 12 appearances across competitions for the west London outfit this season, scoring just two goals.