Jockey Billy Egan is set to partner the Patrick Payne-trained gelding Jimmy The Bear again for the $200,000 Listed Winter Championship final at Flemington this Saturday.

Despite Egan not having ridden Jimmy The Bear extensively during his Winter Championship defence campaign, he will reclaim the ride at a crucial juncture.

This marks the first time Egan has been aboard Jimmy The Bear in 2026. His last association with the horse was in the Kensington Stakes on New Year’s Eve, and he has maintained a keen interest in the gelding’s performances.

“I galloped with him on Tuesday morning at Werribee – Patrick rode him and I rode his stablemate, but he worked good,” Egan commented.

“He’s been going pretty good. I think he’s had a similar lead up with all the races he’s run in, it’s been the same sort of plan as last year, and he’s going well.”

Much like last year, Jimmy The Bear commenced his campaign at Caulfield in early May and completed his Winter Championship preparations in The David Bourke (1620m) at Flemington.

This year saw him have only one additional start before the final, a win over 1600m at Caulfield on May 30, whereas in 2025, he had two runs in between.

The son of Jimmy Creed is assigned 60kg for Saturday’s assignment, a kilogram more than last year. He aims to join Glaneuse as the only horse to win the 1600m race, first run in 1980, in consecutive years.

“He’s pretty highly rated now, so he deserves to carry the weight,” Egan said of the 13-time winner.

“He’s a big horse and he’s proven he can carry the weight.”

Jimmy The Bear drew barrier one for the Winter Championship Final. This contrasts with his younger half-brother and stablemate, Clevor Trever, who will start from the second-widest gate in the 13-horse Silver Bowl Final, which closes the meeting.

The Omaha Beach three-year-old also carries 60kg for his first attempt at 1600m. Egan acknowledges the challenge but believes the colt is up to the task.

“Maybe the weights might be a little bit different for him, because they got so close to him last time and he is getting out to the mile,” he observed.

“He’s probably got a few more obstacles to overcome, but he’s in really good form.”

Egan’s other mounts on Finals Day, both trained by Payne, are Bold Soul in the $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m) and Falset Star in the $175,000 Listed A R Creswick Stakes (1200m).

Check out the latest betting markets for the Winter Championship Final with leading Australian betting sites.

One of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball will be hanging up his cleats after this season.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander announced on Wednesday that the 2026 season will be his last.

Amid an injury-riddled season with the Detroit Tigers, Verlander decided it’s time to go.

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Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander watches from the dugout during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit June 21, 2026. (David Rodriguez-Munoz/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

“This season has challenged me in ways I haven’t experienced before, both physically and mentally. I’ve always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I’d keep playing. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come,” Verlander said in a social media post.

“While I’m fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the rest of this season, I’ve decided this will be my last. It’s fitting that I get to finish where it all started – with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity.”

Verlander inked a one-year deal with the Tigers, with whom he spent his first 12½ seasons before being traded to the Houston Astros, in the offseason. In Houston, he returned to dominance, winning both of his World Series titles and two of his Cy Young Awards.

“Baseball has given me more than I could have imagined. It taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of continuing to adapt and evolve. I’ve been fortunate to play with and against incredible players, for outstanding organizations, and compete in-front of fans who deeply appreciate the game,” Verlander added in his announcement.

Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros celebrates after the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park Nov. 5, 2022, in Houston, Texas. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

PHILLIES STAR SAYS ‘BS RULE’ IS KEEPING HIM FROM BEING NAMED ALL-STAR IN FRONT OF HOME CROWD

“To every teammate, coach, player, clubhouse attendant, and fan who has been part of this journey – thank you. It’s been a privilege to share the field with you. To my family, especially my wife Kate, thank you for standing beside me through every season, every rehab, and every high and low. I couldn’t have done this without you. It’s time for the next chapter. But first, I’m excited to finish this season the only way I know how – with everything I’ve got.”

Verlander is the active leader with 3,554 strikeouts, which is good for eighth all-time. He needs 21 to surpass Don Sutton and 87 to pass Tom Seaver.

The 43-year-old made his MLB debut in 2005 and won the American League Rookie of the Year Award the following season in what was just a small glimpse of what was to come.

Verlander was a Cy Young Award finalist on four other occasions, consistently near the top of the leaderboard in just about every pitching stat. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred gave Verlander a legend’s exemption to this year’s Midsummer Classic, making him a 10-time All-Star.

One could argue that Verlander should have at least one more Cy Young Award on his mantle, but he is on the fast track to Cooperstown and very much in the conversation to join Mariano Rivera as the only player unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame.

Verlander’s best season came in 2022, when he pitched to a career-best 1.75 ERA along with a 0.829 WHIP. However, that came after he missed the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery for an injury he suffered after pitching just one inning in the abbreviated 2020 season.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning Aug. 22, 2023, in Houston.  (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

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He won his first Cy Young Award in 2011, when he was also awarded the MVP Award, and his second in 2019. Verlander’s 11 seasons between his first and final Cy Young Awards are the second-most behind Roger Clemens, who had 18 seasons between his first and seventh.

Verlander led the majors in innings and WHIP four times while recording the most strikeouts in three seasons.

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A minor mix-up in a recent barrier trial nearly prevented Tyler Schiller from assessing Gatineau, but there will be no such confusion for the juvenile’s upcoming debut at Rosehill.

Schiller was mistakenly aboard Gatineau’s stablemate, Blackbelt, during the same 900-metre heat on June 19. The error was only identified and rectified once the horses were en route to the starting stalls.

“There was a bit of a mix-up, and I ended up on the other horse of the Hawkes’ in the trial on the way to the gates,” Schiller stated. “Jay Ford was on the grey (Gatineau) going to the gates, and he’d been told to win the trial. I obviously wasn’t told that, but I knew he was expected to go out there and perform well, so I just gave him a good experience.”

Blackbelt finished second in the trial, while Gatineau secured fourth place. However, Gatineau caught the eye with his strong finish under his own steam, closing in on the placegetters.

Although Gatineau faces a challenge competing against more experienced horses in Saturday’s Thank You ATC Members Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill, Schiller believes the colt possesses natural talent and is keen to see his race-day potential.

“I thought his trial was terrific. He trucked up behind them well,” Schiller commented. “He’s got plenty of ability. It will be interesting to see what he does when he gets a gap and hits the front, because I know sitting behind them on the bridle can be a different story.”

A win for Gatineau would continue a successful late-season trend for Hawkes Racing’s two-year-olds.

The stable previously celebrated an impressive victory with the All Too Hard colt Why So Hard at Randwick on June 6, followed by Marwooba’s win at Rosehill a week later.

Schiller, who rides extensively for John, Wayne, and Michael Hawkes in Sydney, indicated that this late-season surge is not surprising.

“We had a few early in the season that had setbacks with shin soreness and that sort of thing,” he explained. “They’ve missed all the big races, but the team has been able to get the horses into races where they can knock off a two-year-old win before they turn three. The team has been going well of late, so hopefully we can keep up the momentum.”

Schiller is also anticipating a strong performance from the Jim and Greg Lee-trained gelding Glorious Moments as he makes his black-type debut in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m). Having won four of his seven starts, the gelding demonstrated tenacity when winning with a considerable weight at Randwick last start, adding intrigue to the typical field in the feature sprint. “It’s a quality field, so you can’t say he’s going to come out and be dominant, but I think he’s a really good chance down in the weights,” Schiller noted.

Explore the latest online bookmakers for potential wagers on this weekend’s racing action at Rosehill.

KOCHI: Star shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa, who won the women’s doubles gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, says she is not a fan of badminton’s new 15×3 scoring system, arguing that the diet version strips the sport of the drama and intensity that have made it so riveting. The All India Senior Ranking Badminton Tournament, which began at Kochi’s Regional Sports Centre on Tuesday, is the first tournament at the domestic circuit to introduce this format to ensure seamless transition for Indian shuttlers. The Badminton World Federation plans a global roll out of the 15×3 scoring system from Jan 2027.In this format, all matches will be played as best-of-three games under rally-point scoring system in which each game will be played till 15 points instead of 21. The traditional mid-game interval will now be taken when the leading player or pair reaches eight points.“The beauty of the 21-point system lies in its ebbs and flows. It allows momentum shifts, creates drama, and allows comebacks,” Ponnappa told TOI at the Regional Sports Centre, after she and Satish Karunakaran won their opening mixed doubles match 15-8,15-10 against Farhan Muhammad and Meera Nair.“Some of the greatest matches in badminton have lasted for at least 90 minutes, with the longest stretching to over 160 minutes. Those are contests people remember,” Ponnappa elaborated.The BWF plans to introduce this diet version to reduce match durations, limit player fatigue, make it less physical, and create faster-paced games to suit the ethos of modern broadcasting. Ponnappa, 36, reckoned that the sport’s governing body missed a trick by failing to innovate, choosing instead to tinker with a tested format.“If you feel that the sport is becoming too physical, then add another break,” the Coorgi explained. Ponnappa said the authorities should have retained the 21-point format at Tour 1000 events and conducted a trial run of the 15-point system at some of the lower-ranked events.“It’s harder to build rallies. Who wants to see a badminton game getting over in 20 minutes?” Ponnappa argued. Ponnappa acknowledged that players have little choice but to be adaptable and embrace the new normal.“It is what it is. The sooner players adapt to the new scoring system, the better it is for them,” she added.

Ever finish a round of golf and feel like nothing went right? It’s a frustrating feeling, but simply saying, “I played badly,” won’t help you improve. To get better, you need to understand the types of mistakes you’re making. Once you can identify your errors, you can focus on the right things in practice and on the course.

I typically break down the mistakes golfers make into three categories.

1. Execution errors

These are the most obvious errors and the ones most golfers think of first. They are the dreaded mishits — chunks, tops, slices and hooks. They happen when your swing doesn’t quite match your intention, leading to a poor result.

While some execution errors are unavoidable, you can minimize them through consistent practice and lessons. But remember, no matter how much you practice, execution errors will happen. Even the best players in the world don’t hit every shot perfect.

2. Strategic errors

Strategic errors are more common than many golfers realize. They happen when you make a poor decision before you even hit the ball. This could be because you didn’t properly assess the conditions, such as a strong headwind, a wet lie, or the speed of the greens.

For example, imagine you have a 140-yard shot over water. You normally hit your 8-iron 140 yards, so you pull that club without thinking twice. However, you fail to notice a strong wind blowing directly into your face. The ball comes up short and lands in the water. Your swing wasn’t the problem. The mistake happened before you ever addressed the ball.

Other strategic errors include attempting shots you haven’t practiced enough or misjudging the risk versus the reward. Often, choosing the smarter, safer play leads to a better score than attempting a low-percentage shot. These are mistakes that are much easier to limit, because they boil down to making smarter decisions.

3. Mental errors

Mental errors are all about mindset, focus and concentration. Unlike a poor swing, these are mistakes that are entirely within your control. They include rushing your shot, skipping your pre-shot routine, or allowing one bad shot to affect the rest of your round.

Elite players understand that mental mistakes are often the easiest to eliminate and can have the greatest impact on scoring. If you can cut down — or even eliminate — mental errors, you can save several strokes per round.

How to avoid these mistakes

During your round, take a moment after every bad shot to determine what type of mistake occurred. Was it an execution error, such as a mishit? A strategic error, like choosing the wrong club? Or was it a mental error, such as rushing your routine? Simply identifying the cause helps you stay present and learn from each shot instead of reacting emotionally.

It can also be helpful to keep a simple record of your mistakes. Create a system using “E” for execution errors, “S” for strategic errors, and “M” for mental errors and mark them down on your scorecard. At the end of your round, tally each category. The results will quickly show you where your biggest opportunities for improvement lie and help guide your practice.

Cory Sandhagen has spent years hovering around the UFC bantamweight title picture without quite breaking through. He’s challenged for championship gold twice, fallen short both times, and now finds himself back in familiar territory – needing another statement win in one of the promotion’s deepest divisions.His assignment at International Fight Week is a familiar face. Seven years after submitting Mario Bautista in Bautista’s third UFC appearance, Sandhagen meets him again in a fight that carries far greater consequences than their first meeting ever did.The matchup comes with contrasting narratives. Bautista has framed it as a wrestling advantage and vowed to chase a finish. Sandhagen isn’t buying that assessment.In an exclusive conversation with Timesofindia.com, Sandhagen discusses how Bautista has evolved since their first meeting, why he dismisses the wrestling narrative, the lessons from his latest title defeat, and why he believes a showdown with Sean O’Malley makes the most sense if he gets past Bautista.Excerpts: This is a rematch with Mario after seven years. How different is he now compared to the debutant you faced in 2019?I think he’s a much better fighter now. I think we both are. He’s come a long way, and I think it’s going to be a challenging fight.Mario says he’s hunting for the finish and sees this as a wrestling mismatch. How do you react to that kind of public assessment of the fight?I think Mario has shown almost no great offensive wrestling that I’ve seen. He got out-grappled by Umar by a much bigger margin. He was held down, whereas I got taken down a bunch of times but got back up right away every time. So I don’t know what he’s talking about.What do you see as Mario’s single biggest strength, and how do you plan to neutralize it?I think Mario’s biggest strength is that he’s a really hardworking guy. He has a lot of self-belief, and he doesn’t quit. I plan on countering that by being the same, while also being more technical, more skilled, and more hardworking than him.You’ve had spectacular finishes against guys like Edgar and Moraes, as well as tactical wins over opponents like Font. How do you decide, fight by fight, whether to go for fireworks or settle for a controlled win?You always try to win with fireworks, but sometimes the other guy does really good stuff and you’re not able to get him out of there. That’s just how it goes.

Cory Sandhagen against Merab Dvalishvili (AP Photo)

After UFC 320 [Merab Dvalishvili], you said the fight was absolutely winnable. What specifically went wrong, and how have you addressed it in preparation for Mario?I think if I had a better second round, I would have done well. There were also some technical mistakes that I made that are pretty easy to fix, and I think they would have changed the outcome of the fight. So it really came down to those technical mistakes and not getting hurt as badly in the second round.You’ve been one of the top bantamweights for years. How much of this fight is about proving to yourself that you can still handle the new wave of fighters like Mario, not just the older contenders?I think I only have a few more fights than Mario, so I don’t really see him as an up-and-coming guy. I think he’s been in the UFC for quite some time now. Maybe I’ve only been in the UFC a year or two longer than him.

Mario Bautista (Special Arrangements)

So I don’t really see him as an up-and-coming fighter. I just see him as someone who hasn’t been in as many big fights as I have and hasn’t fought for titles yet. I think I’m simply more experienced, but I don’t see him as a newcomer to the UFC.Finally, if you win this fight, what do you think the UFC should book next? O’Malley, Merab again, or someone else?I think, realistically, I still have one more fight before I can fight for the title again. But the only fight the fans really want to see is me against O’Malley.Hopefully, it’ll be that. If it’s not O’Malley, then I’m open to anyone or any idea because I know I probably still have one more fight left. But if I beat Mario really decisively and do something crazy to win, that could change too. Realistically, though, I think I have one more fight, and I think it should be against O’Malley. I don’t really know who else there would be.(Watch UFC 329 – McGregor vs Holloway 2 on July 12, 2026, from 6:30 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD (Tamil, Telugu & Kannada) and Sony LIV)

FILE–Evan Nelle shoots during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Barangay Ginebra.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—In his first move since being appointed as the new coach of NLEX, Jimmy Alapag brought in Evan Nelle to boost the Road Warriors’ backcourt ahead of the upcoming PBA Governors’ Cup.

Nelle and Alapag are no strangers to each other.

Two years ago, Nelle went to California to hone his skills under the guidance of Alapag, who was then the developmental coach of the Sacramento Kings in the NBA.

READ: After US coaching journey, Alapag gets his big break in PBA

NLEX acquired Nelle from Phoenix in exchange for forward Sidney Onwubere in a straight swap.

“Welcome to NLEX, Evan Nelle! A floor general who thrives under pressure, sees every play before it unfolds,” the team wrote in a post on social media on Tuesday.

“The journey starts now and we’re coming full speed.”

Nelle was a vital piece for the Fuel Masters in the Commissioner’s Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals with a 6-6 record before getting eliminated by eventual champions Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.

Now, the 28-year-old point guard, who are among the few players to win titles in the UAAP and NCAA, bolsters an NLEX side, which had a promising yet disappointing campaign last conference, where they suffered a quarterfinal exit as the top seed.

Nelle joins a star-studded NLEX backcourt featuring MVP candidate Robert Bolick, Kevin Alas and young gun LJay Gonzales.

The Road Warriors will headline the Governors’ Cup opener on Friday, taking on guest team Macau Giant Pandas at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

After a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt, which had no shortage of top-class action, it is referee Francois Letexier who has taken centre stage. The Egyptian Football Federation (EFF) has reportedly approached FIFA, lodging a formal protest against the decisions of referee Francois Letexier after their team suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat against the defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Egypt appeared close to a historic upset after taking a 2-0 lead, but Argentina produced a late comeback, with Lionel Messi playing a decisive role by scoring one goal and setting up another before Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround in stoppage time.

However, the match left the Egyptian camp furious as several key decisions by the officials went against the team, including a disallowed goal following a VAR review and a penalty appeal that was not reviewed in the buildup to Argentina’s winning goal.

According to a report in Spanish publication Diario AS, the president of the Egypt Football Association, Hany Abo Rida, has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA against French referee Francois Letexier and his officiating team.

Who Is Francois Letexier?

The 37-year-old Frenchman is ranked as a UEFA Elite Category referee. He generally officiates in Ligue 1. He has been a FIFA referee since 2017. According to reports, he is a professional lawyer with expertise in rental disputes and illegal occupation.

He was named the world’s best male referee for 2024 by the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics). Letexier has, in the past, officiated the UEFA Euro 2024 final between Spain and England. He is the youngest referee to take charge of a UEFA Euro final. He has also officiated in the Champions League and the Olympic Games.

According to a report by L’Equipe, the Frenchman’s performance “will be reviewed, and FIFA’s refereeing officials will decide, based on his technical performance, the officials’ reports, and the disputed video footage, whether he will continue in this World Cup.”

However, the report added that the complaint may not succeed, as a country/member association “cannot exercise a veto over the appointment of the refereeing body, which falls under the purview of the FIFA Referees Committee.”

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was particularly frustrated by the refereeing of French official Francois Letexier and pointed to two major incidents that he felt changed the course of the game: Egypt’s disallowed goal and a late penalty appeal involving Alexis Mac Allister before Fernandez’s decisive strike.

“We haven’t seen respect or fair play,” Hassan said. “A penalty was ruled out. It was not even checked by VAR, and our second goal was, remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed. We have been treated unfairly, and it has been an injustice.

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Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead holds a strong hand in the €100,000 Kilmurray Group Midlands National at Kilbeggan Racecourse on Friday night.

De Bromhead will be represented by three horses in the 14-runner field over 3 miles and one furlong for Kilbeggan’s seasonal highlight, sponsored by Kilmurray’s Homevalue Hardware in Mullingar.

The 2025 winner of the Listed contest, Amirite, will carry top weight of 11-12 in a race that he was also runner-up in back in 2024. Five-pound claimer Paddy O’Brien will ride the 10-year-old on Friday evening.

Recent McHale Mayo National winner, Native Speaker, will have the assistance of de Bromhead’s stable jockey Darragh O’Keeffe as bids to add a second summer National to his resumé.

Raglan Road, a winner of two of his last three races, is the final Knockeen Stables’ inmate, and will have the assistance of J.P. McManus’ retained rider Harry Cobden in the saddle.

Mullins yet to win Midlands National

Champion jumps handler Willie Mullins will attempt to win the race for the first time since its inauguration back in 1997. The Closutton trainer will saddle both Uncle Tom, a Punchestown Festival winner, and Yoradreamer, runner-up in the three-horse Jim Ryan Memorial Novice Chase at Punchestown early last month. Paul Townend will take the mount on Uncle Tom, while Seán O’Keeffe will wear the Brookhouse colours aboard Yoradreamer.

Tipperary trainer John Ryan is responsible for four of the horses contesting the Midlands National, with seven-time winner and €5,000 purchase Drumgill likely to be his best chance of landing the €100,000 race. The Templemore handler has an impressive recent record at Kilbeggan, having had two winners and two seconds from just six runners at June’s meeting.

Enda Bolger’s runner Pride Of Place was successful in the Tote Killarney National on his penultimate outing, while Boston Rover, who hasn’t run since last October, may be the strongest of the Gordon Elliott trio to face the starter.

The first of seven races will start at 4.50pm. The Kilmurray Group Midlands National goes to post at 6.32pm

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