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2026 Premier’s Plate provides examination for Guru Warrior

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The Morphettville-based Andrew Gluyas holds firm that the Premier’s Plate is the appropriate race to elevate prospect stayer Guru Warrior to Black Type level, but caution prevails for the $120,000 Saturday battle.

Some slight interruptions have prompted wariness from the trainer for the 2006-metre Morphettville test, which is Guru Warrior’s debut since notching four straight successes on November 15.

“He missed a little bit of work leading into Saturday,” Gluyas said.

“I was hoping to get in a jumpout or a trial and maybe even a race, but I just had to hold him up that little bit.

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So, in terms of work going in, I was hopeful to have a little bit more conditioning into him but, in saying that, he’s got good form and it’s a good opportunity for him to come up to Listed grade after working through his grades.”

In his last outing, Guru Warrior prevailed over 2250m in BM78 grade for his third consecutive win as odds-on shot, having kicked off the sequence as $3.10 equal favourite in Parks’ 1950m BM64 on September 27.

Nearing eight lengths is the aggregate margin from those four wins, an outcome Gluyas valued amid the Saxon Warrior gelding’s irregular racing style through the series.

“He went through that winning run not doing everything completely right, so he’s not the full bottle and I wouldn’t expect to really see the best of him until next spring,” Gluyas said.

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“He had a tendency to run around under pressure, but what he does do is he travels well and once he got out to 2000 metres, that’s where he really hit his straps and his ability to travel without effort really seemed to set up his races.

That’s what gives us something to like about him as we move into Saturday.”

Despite a small doubt on the $2.80 top pick Guru Warrior, Gluyas is encouraged by $14 outsider Arugamama’s form leading into her first run post the Skybeau Series Final (2500m) fade on November 22.

“She has had some good, positive trials and jump outs and I’m quite pleased where I’ve got her coming into a 2000-metre race fresh,” he said.

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“I think we’ve got her where we want her…she’s there to perform well I reckon.”

For the Premier’s Plate, consider checking the leading online bookmakers for competitive odds on the favourites.

Taylor Johnstone partners the 58kg topweight Arugamama from gate five, with Jacob Opperman steering Guru Warrior (55.5kg) from draw seven.

The post Premier’s Plate test for Guru Warrior first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

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Manchester United vs Tottenham live: Latest team news and line-ups from Premier League

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How can I watch the game?

Viewers in the UK can watch the game on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Ultimate, with coverage starting at 11am.

Subscribers can also stream the match on discovery+.

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:12

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When is Manchester United vs Tottenham?

Manchester United’s clash with Tottenham kicks off at 12:30pm GMT on Saturday 7 February at Old Trafford.

(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:06

Man Utd v Tottenham

Manchester United play host to Tottenham in today’s lunchtime kick-off with Michael Carrick hoping to maintain his perfect start to life as interim boss at Old Trafford.

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He’ll nevertheless strive to make it four in a row against the team he joined United from as a player in 2006, with the prospect of a relegation fight more than non-existent for Tottenham.

Thomas Frank perhaps survived another close shave with the sack last weekend, with Spurs salvaging a 2-2 draw against Manchester City despite putting in a lifeless first-half performance, but the Dane will need to keep the good results coming if he is to survive long in the Spurs hot seat.

Mike Jones7 February 2026 10:00

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Good morning!

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action as Manchester United host Tottenham at Old Trafford.

It’s another big outing for Michael Carrick’s men who have, so far, been perfect under the new boss with three wins from three games.

Carrick is hoping to lead the team into a top four finish and sinking Spurs would be another huge result for the interim.

Likewise, a victory at Old Trafford would ease a mountain of pressure on Tottenham boss Thomas Frank whose struggling side sit 14th in the table and are dealing with a mounting list of injury concerns.

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We’ll have all the updates and team news throughout the day so stick around as we build up to kick off at 12.30pm.

Mike Jones7 February 2026 08:48

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Hall of Fame legend says Oleksandr Usyk isn’t an all time great: “It’s not like my era”

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Many fans view Oleksandr Usyk as one of the best heavyweights of all time but it seems one Hall of Fame inductee doesn’t agree.

Usyk is a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, having twice defeated Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois during his career.

He also became undisputed cruiserweight champion and won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London, with his incredible achievements clear to see for everyone.

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One boxing legend isn’t that impressed though, as three-weight world champion James Toney told Fight Hub TV that he doesn’t rank Usyk as highly as others.

“He’s [Usyk] average but he’s not great. None of these fighters are all time greats. It’s not [like] my era, they don’t fight nobody. The only way you become great is by fighting people who are great.”

Toney’s era saw him compete at the highest level during the 1990s and 2000s, claiming world honours at middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight, beating fighters such as Mike McCallum and Iran Barkley along the way.

He also fought at heavyweight where he defeated Evander Holyfield and then won the WBA heavyweight title with a victory over John Ruiz, but it was later ruled a no contest after he failed a drugs test.

While Toney may not rate Usyk as a great, the Ukrainian still remains the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion so could yet change the Hall of Famer’s mind with any future performances, but that may not come in his next bout after a surprise rumoured next opponent.

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Puka Nacua ‘almost did a backflip when Matthew Stafford won MVP

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There might be nobody on the planet happier for Matthew Stafford than Puka Nacua.

The Los Angeles Rams quarterback, in his 17th NFL season, won his first MVP Award on Thursday night to all but cement what will likely be a Hall of Fame resume.

“I almost did a backflip,” Stafford’s star wide receiver, Puka Nacua, told Fox News Digital on radio row.

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Puka and Stafford

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, left, greets quarterback Matthew Stafford before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium Dec. 7, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

An extra celebration, though, came when Stafford officially committed to playing next season.

“I knew he was coming back. I knew it. I was waiting for him to say it at some point. And when he said it, I still wanted to do a backflip. It was the best,” he said.

“Nobody deserves it more than him playing at such a high level in this late stage of his career. And the photo of him and his family, that’s football heaven right there.”

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Matthew Stafford celebrates

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the New York Jets Dec. 22, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY REFLECTS ON 2025 SUCCESS AFTER INJURY-PLAGUED 2024 SEASON: ‘JUST THANK GOD’

Nacua would be a stud no matter who was throwing to him, but he definitely has Stafford to thank for his absurd numbers.

“I know I wouldn’t be standing in the place that I am with the opportunities I’ve had to chase records, to break records, to be at a high level and to be up there with the best of them. He’s been right there every step of the way, and I’m glad I get him for one more year.”

One more year? We’ll see.

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Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua talk

Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams talk in the first quarter of a game against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium Sept. 7, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (Harry How/Getty Images)

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“I won’t put a timeline on his career, but if I can win another Super Bowl, hopefully he won’t hang it up after that.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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3 Reasons why Randy Orton won the Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match on WWE SmackDown

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WWE SmackDown after Royal Rumble 2026 concluded with Randy Orton’s victory. The Legend Killer defeated Solo Sikoa and Aleister Black in a Triple Threat Match.

Now, The Viper has become the first star to be officially confirmed as an entrant in the Elimination Chamber match. In this article, we will discuss three reasons why Randy Orton won the Elimination Chamber qualifying match on the blue brand show.


#3. Randy Orton is set to make history

Randy Orton should win the 2026 Elimination Chamber. Do you agree?

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The veteran star previously participated several times in the Men’s Elimination Chamber matches. He was part of some of the most iconic Chamber matches, and this year, Randy Orton is set to make history. It will be Orton’s 10th Elimination Chamber match, thus holding the record for most appearances in the history of Elimination Chamber matches.

So, to hold this major record, Randy Orton qualified for the Men’s Chamber match and secured the victory on this week’s SmackDown.


#2. To add much-needed star power

WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 is set to stream live on February 28, 2026, from the United Center in Chicago. It will be the final PLE stop on the road to WrestleMania 42.

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Considering this, WWE needed some star power in the Elimination Chamber traditional match, as it escalates the match hype and generates more buzz. Orton is one of the most popular stars and the only active talent from the generation of John Cena, Triple H, The Rock, Stone Cold, and others. His inclusion could be done to add star power to the showdown.


#1. To set up a match with Cody Rhodes at WWE WrestleMania

Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre’s feud is still unfinished on SmackDown. During this week’s show, The American Nightmare warned the Undisputed WWE Champion that he will not enter Mania as the titleholder.

This suggests that, despite Rhodes and Jacob being part of the Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match, a title showdown may happen before this year’s Showcase of the Immortals. This scenario sparks the chances of Cody winning the Undisputed Title before Mania.

If that happens, then the sports entertainment juggernaut could be planning for a match between Cody and Orton, which could be the reason behind The Viper’s victory. It’s been a long time since fans have been anticipating a match between these two real-life friends.

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If Rhodes wins the Undisputed Championship before Mania and Randy wins the Chamber match, it will finally set up the dream feud at The Grandest Stage of Them All. Rest assured, it will be interesting to see how the storyline will unfold and what plans WWE has in store for us.