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Golden Slipper winner in 2026 Black Caviar Lightning bid

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The first Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival in 2026 will feature eight starters in the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington.

Strikingly, for a race open to all ages and sexes, the three-year-old fillies boast the highest representation.

Three such fillies are entered out of eight for the 1000m test, pursuing a third win in the event over the past 25 years.

Regimental Gal provided the fillies’ success in 2004, with Coolangatta achieving it most recently in 2023.

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Six-year-old mare Benedetta joins them, positioning the females to potentially raise their count to four in the Black Caviar Lightning after victories by Coolangatta, Imperatriz and Skybird in the previous three runnings.

My Gladiola and Military Tycoon, both Melbourne-trained fillies, will accompany Michael Freedman’s Marhoona, who has been quartered at Flemington for slightly over one week in readiness for the Group 1 dash on Saturday.

Marhoona exhibited top-class form at two when chasing Tempted home in the Reisling Slipper at Randwick, then annexing the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) next at Rosehill.

In spring, she competed just twice: victorious on debut in the Heritage Stakes at Rosehill, then third in the Roman Consul Stakes at the same track.

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Freedman indicated Golden Slipper winners face difficulties returning at three, but Marhoona is primed for autumn action, evidenced by her trial win against Autumn Glow at Randwick on January 27.

“I think she has come back great,” Freedman said.

“Slipper-winning fillies aren’t easy to place, especially the ones that are more sprinting types.

She is already a Group 1 winner so we want to try to line her up in races that can only potentially enhance her page, so we had a chat about it and thought we’d have a crack at the Lightning.”

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No worries for Freedman regarding Marhoona’s straight course novelty, as stablemate Pallaton won there on Melbourne Cup Day.

The filly gets a new jockey in Michael Dee.

“We had Craig Williams booked, but he is suspended on Saturday, so we had to make a bit of a late change,” Freedman said.

Check the racing betting markets for the Black Caviar Lightning to find the strongest prices.

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The post Golden Slipper winner in Black Caviar Lightning bid first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

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NFL analyst links Packers QB to $6,500,000,000 AFC franchise while comparing with Jordan Love

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13 February 2026

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis has been in the spotlight as he is set to become a free agent this offseason. Willis served as the backup to Jordan Love for the past two seasons, but appears to be linked to several teams after a few impressive cameos in the 2025 season.

On Thursday, former NFL QB Chris Simms appeared on the “Dan Patrick Show,” and showered praise on Willis.

“I think Malik Willis is a superstar,” Simms said. “I would think he is the crowning gem of guys that’s going to be out there as far as free agents you can get.”

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Patrick then asked Simms if the Pittsburgh Steelers, valued at $6.5 billion by Forbes, could be interested in signing Willis.

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“If I were them, I’d be looking at that,” Simms said. “Malik Willis has proven he’s got special talent. He’s got a special arm, special mobility. He knows how to run the offense and do all of that. So yeah, he’s a great story here.”

Simms was then asked if he liked Willis more than Love.

“It’s closer than I ever thought it would be,” Simms said. “And I’m really a Jordan Love fan … but Malik Willis, I’m not going to say he’s better than Jordan Love right now. I will say he shows more potential to be a greater player than Jordan Love. That’s what I would say right now, but I’ve got to see a little more before I say he’s better than Jordan Love.”

Willis was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2022 draft. He was traded to the Packers in August 2024.

The 2025 season was the final year for Willis on his rookie contract that he signed with the Titans.

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Malik Willis reportedly won’t join Cleveland Browns this offseason

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis - Source: GettyNFC Wild Card Playoffs: Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis - Source: Getty
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis – Source: Getty

Earlier this week, reports claimed that the Cleveland Browns were interested in signing Malik Willis during the offseason. However, Browns insider Tony Grossi shut down any talk of the QB’s rumored move to Cleveland, while suggesting the team has a big cap space issue with Deshaun Watson.

“Anybody who connects Malik Willis to the Browns is ignorant of their Deshaun Watson cap situation. Ain’t happenin,’” Grossi tweeted on Tuesday.

Willis did well when he led the Packers’ offense in 2025. He completed 85.7% of his passes for 422 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions, while having a 145.5 passer rating. The QB also had 22 carries for 123 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Apart from the Browns, the Miami Dolphins reportedly have an interest in signing Willis.

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