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Fit colt Warwoven set for 2026 Golden Slipper amid backup and rain talk

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Trainer Bjorn Baker didn’t originally intend to run Warwoven in the Golden Slipper on seven days’ notice, but looming Sydney showers are shifting his mindset toward embracing it.

Kiamichi managed the feat in 2019, Shinzo repeating three years later, so should Rosehill be rain-affected Saturday, the colt’s recent racing edge may pay dividends.

Barrier 14 befell Warwoven, priced at $7 Wednesday, as stablemate and early joint-favourite Paradoxium eased to $8 in gate 18.

Baker sees ongoing progress in both, their recoveries from Queensland Magic Millions interruptions proving their hardiness.

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“Both colts have got a great constitution and very good attitudes, so that gives you a bit of encouragement,” Baker said.

“They’ve both been on the way up, so if anything, the back-up could work to our advantage, especially if there is a little bit of rain around and the track does get demanding. Maybe that would tip me towards Warwoven.”

A win aboard Warwoven would crown Rachel King the first female victor in the world’s top juvenile prize money event.

First-time blinkers adorn the colt, which Baker views as potentially crucial.

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“He has worked in them previously and has gone very well so we thought, Saturday is the day to do it,” he said.

“It’s a bit of a risky move, but he’s drawn out a touch.

“We’ve got the option to go forward or take a sit. Rachel knows him very well, so we’ll figure that out.”

The awkward draw challenges Paradoxium, yet Baker emphasises tactical precision.

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“No doubt, the gate, he is going to have to overcome that,” he said.

“He’s just going to need a little bit of luck from out wide and make sure we get our tactics spot-on.

“But the main thing is we are here, and he is in good shape and healthy.”

Last 15 Golden Slipper winners included seven from barrier 8+, six from 10+.

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Chris Waller mirrors Warwoven’s change with blinkers on Fireball first-up, off Hidrix who underperformed in them during the Todman Stakes (1200m).

Discover prime racing betting markets ahead of the Golden Slipper.

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Tension rises for Mick Price with Hot Digity Boom in 2026 Adelaide races

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Mick Price, the Cranbourne-based handler, reveals he’ll sense more strain tracking Hot Digity Boom in Adelaide than with his Group 1 charges in Sydney or Melbourne.

Ownership in Hot Digity Boom is shared by Price’s partner Shona and daughters Kelly and Stephanie, as the filly prepares for the Charlie Hoile Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville Parks this Saturday.

Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s yard encounters a full slate, with Guest House entered in the Golden Slipper, Reserve Bank in The Galaxy in Sydney, and Charm Stone in Caulfield’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes.

The stable sends three to Adelaide: Hot Digity Boom, alongside first-starter The Speed Machine in the Sportsbet Fast Form Handicap (1000m), and Bring Forth in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (2294m).

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Last appearance saw Hot Digity Boom fifth behind Astral Flame in Flemington’s Benchmark 84 fillies and mares race on February 28; the 1400m return suits after her Cranbourne win at the distance.

“Hot Digity Boom, we’ll be doing our best for the girls, and family harmony,” Price said.

“She’s consistent but doesn’t win too often, so hopefully she can win again on Saturday.”

Bring Forth, another horse in which Price invests, is primed for the extra ground third-up this preparation.

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He ran second most recently over 1800m at Sandown.

“Bring Forth is now third-up and is looking for the trip,” Price said.

“His two runs back have been good, and it was a good solid effort last time.

The rail is out nine metres, and it is on the Parks track, but I reckon we’ll ride Bring Forth with a bit of a smother.”

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Kicking off in Adelaide is The Speed Machine, a two-year-old out of Blue Diamond Stakes second-place finisher Hanseatic.

“The Speed Machine has had two trials for two wins.

He’s a sharp little horse and I think he will be competitive in the first.”

Check racing betting markets on the best sites for the Charlie Hoile Handicap.

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Former Vikings LB Tweets the Boldest QB Take Imaginable

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Ex-Vikings LB Ben Leber in London in 2025
Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings former linebacker Ben Leber watches during an NFL International Series game against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings re-upped with quarterback Carson Wentz on Thursday, and according to one of the team’s former linebackers, Ben Leber, a beloved member of the Vikings community, Wentz is in line to start as the QB1 in 2026 — not Kyler Murray.

Leber’s depth-chart idea turns a quiet signing into a real debate.

Most onlookers expect Wentz to end up with the QB3 job, not the QB1 title.

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Leber’s QB Take Puts Carson Wentz Front and Center

Leber brings the heat on VikingsTwitter.

Ben Leber celebrating during a Vikings game against the Cowboys at the Metrodome. Ben Leber Vikings
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber (51) celebrates with intensity during the fourth quarter on Oct 17, 2010, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reacting to a key moment as the Vikings close out a narrow 24-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in front of a charged home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.

Leber: Wentz is the Vikings’ QB1

Minnesota added Wentz, and most fans didn’t bat an eye, as the veteran did a serviceable job holding down the fort during J.J. McCarthy’s absence (high ankle sprain) last September and October. And Wentz played so well — evidently — that Leber envisions a starter’s job in 2026.

He tweeted after the Wentz addition, “I believe there will be a true QB competition. So as of right now I would guess the depth chart would be: Wentz, Murray, McCarthy. May the best man win.”

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Here’s the full tweet:

A Record-Scratch Moment

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Most Twitter (X) users read Leber’s comments a few times to confirm Leber’s account was real and not a parody. That happens.

But it was not parody, and Leber meant what he tweeted. Wentz met with the New York Jets one week ago to explore a relationship with Aaron Glenn’s team, where he could possibly start or serve as the QB2 behind the newly acquired Geno Smith. In the end, Wentz and the Jets did not reach an agreement, and Wentz came back to Minnesota.

Wentz must believe he can win the QB2 job over McCarthy. Or — if Leber is correct, against all odds, fans might be watching a Murray v. Wentz battle at training camp in Eagan.

SI.com‘s Jonathan Harrison on Leber’s bold take: “That would be shocking for numerous reasons. First off, with other options still available to him, Murray decided to sign with the Vikings after his release from Arizona. Presumably, that would mean he was told by the Vikings’ coaching staff he would be the starter or have a good shot at winning the ‘competition.’ There is no definitive answer, and there likely won’t be one until we see the snap distributions at training camp.”

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“When pressed at a press conference following the Murray signing, O’Connell said he doesn’t have to name a starter now. Minnesota is a team that views itself as a contender. If it’s true that Wentz would have kept the job had he stayed healthy, his return likely signals that McCarthy really isn’t in the competition at all.”

The Wentz Numbers a Season Ago

With Wentz, Murray, and McCarthy perhaps duking it out via Battle Royale — per Leber — for the starting quarterback spot this summer, let’s take another look at how Wentz played in 2025.

The offense hummed more steadily with Wentz calling the shots. Minnesota scored over 20 points in four of the five games he started, even crushing the Cincinnati Bengals by 38 points. McCarthy, on the other hand, only hit that 20-point mark four times in ten starts, and his performance was all over the place week to week.

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Out of 40 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks, Wentz was 25th in EPA per play, while McCarthy was way down at 37th — usually where you find rookies or guys who are still figuring things out. This difference was super clear on those long drives where you need to be patient.

Carson Wentz speaking at a press conference in Dublin before an international game. Ben Leber Vikings
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) addresses media members during a press conference on Sep 26, 2025, at Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin, Ireland, speaking ahead of an international matchup as the team prepares for its overseas appearance and engages with local and traveling reporters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Why the difference? It mostly comes down to style. Wentz liked to make quick decisions and throw short passes, which kept the offense moving and reduced mistakes, even though the offensive line wasn’t always reliable. Plus, the run game didn’t help much, since Aaron Jones only played in one of those five games. McCarthy, though, preferred to throw the ball deep and take some risks, which led to some big plays but wasn’t as consistent.

Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. McCarthy had more of those exciting, long plays, but his execution wasn’t as steady from drive to drive. Generally speaking, Wentz ran a smoother offensive operation, even if his performance was mediocre.

McCarthy on Notice?

Let’s be frank: McCarthy has experienced an absolutely dreadful offseason. The offseason from hell, in fact.

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  1. The guy who drafted him, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, got fired on January 30th. If the Vikings owners ever needed something to scapegoat the McCarthy draft pick, well, they already have it by canning the man who nominated McCarthy as the franchise quarterback.
  2. The Vikings signed Murray, who has a better resume than McCarthy per efficiency by leaps and bounds. When Minnesota signed Murray one week ago, McCarthy was demoted with the snap of two fingers. Not good news for the guy lined up as the franchise quarterback in 2024.
  3. One week later, Minnesota signed competition in Wentz for McCarthy’s QB2 job. It’s like a nightmare for a young passer in the middle of his development.
Carson Wentz warming up before a Vikings game against the Eagles. Ben Leber Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes through pregame warmups on Oct 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, preparing for a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles while working through throws and timing drills as part of his routine before kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

McCarthy strutted into the summer of 2025 with the QB1 logo on his chest. Now, he must fight to avoid a QB3 fate.


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Which one should you choose?

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Crimson Desert on PC allows players to pick between controller or mouse and keyboard as the primary input schemes. That said, which is the better option? The answer honestly depends on user preferences, but in this case, the controller is more preferable. This is even though it might seem counterintuitive at first glance.

Here’s all you need to know about using a controller versus a keyboard in Crimson Desert on PC. Read on to know more.

Also Read: Best beginner’s tips and tricks for Crimson Desert


Why controller is better than mouse and keyboard for Crimson Desert on PC

Controller input scheme (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Pearl Abyss)Controller input scheme (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Pearl Abyss)
Controller input scheme (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Pearl Abyss)

Keyboard & mouse is the staple combo for PC players, largely due to its versatility, thanks to offering several buttons to map controls down to. Crimson Desert is also a complex game, mechanically speaking. As such, several inputs requiring double button presses on the controller are simplified to a single input on keyboard, such as grab. As such, at first glance, it may seem like the keyboard is the way to go.

However, the controller is simply a lot more user-friendly in the long run. This is not just due to better ergonomics, but also because this is a third-person action game. For example, the action combos are easier to input on a controller due to the buttons being easier to reach in the heat of combat.

Keyboard controls menu (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Pearl Abyss)Keyboard controls menu (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Pearl Abyss)
Keyboard controls menu (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Pearl Abyss)

This is better than them being separated on PC, as Punch/Kick on keyboard, but Light/Heavy Attack being tied to the mouse, which can be jarring in action. Furthermore, since developer Pearl Abyss has to fit a complex control scheme on a relatively limited set of buttons, the controller scheme has also been better thought out.

The downside here is that players will have to contend with some finicky inputs, especially when trying to press two buttons to perform Grab versus one on the keyboard. Thankfully, Crimson Desert is a massive game, so there will be enough time to get used to these somewhat unorthodox inputs over time.

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