Headwall is poised to attempt consecutive victories in the same race at successive starts, a rare feat as he prepares to re-enter the fray in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.

The gelding achieved a brilliant win in the $1 million sprint 12 months ago, but a subsequent leg injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

His return on Saturday follows a deliberate and careful preparation, with trainer Matthew Smith admitting his keenness to see the horse race again.

“It has been a long build up. Every time you gallop him you’re holding your breath,” Smith said.

“I just can’t wait to get him to the races on Saturday.”

“He’s a horse who could win a Group One this ‘prep’. He’s ready to go so we’ll see what happens on Saturday and he’ll improve into the preparation.”

Headwall demonstrates a dynamic record when commencing a preparation, having won three times and placed twice in six first-up runs. However, Smith cautions that this is against the backdrop of the seven-year-old’s extended time off the track.

He is also mindful that the 1000m distance of the Concorde Stakes leaves minimal room for error, although he is very satisfied with Headwall’s condition heading into the race.

“I think he is going as well as last year. That’s where I feel he’s at,” Smith stated.

“But he’s had a year off, you’ve got to remember.”

“The only thing is with these 1000 metre races, it’s a scramble and you’ve got to be lucky. He’s drawn a good barrier and I’m sure they’ll go at a good gallop. We’ll see where we’re up to anyway. Hopefully there will be a flashing light on him going to the line.”

Smith’s stable will also be represented by Way To The Stars in the same contest, after plans to head to Melbourne were abandoned due to a poor weather outlook.

“They’re talking about a lot of rain on Saturday, and we just couldn’t take the chance,” he explained.

“We’re staying here and we’re being realistic about it.”

The accomplished mare Idle Flyer will contest the Tramway Stakes (1400m) for the stable. This follows a tenacious first-up effort where she finished sixth behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes (1400m), facing some of the nation’s premier horses.

Smith is leaning towards targeting her at the Epsom Handicap (1600m) in October. While a mile is considered her optimal distance, Idle Flyer remains undefeated in four second-up appearances.

“Well, look out Saturday,” Smith quipped.

“She was really good first-up and she has come on.”

“She’s potentially going to go to the Epsom now. It will be either the Seven (Stakes) or the Epsom. Once she goes to the mile, she’s at her best so this is another stepping stone in that direction.”

The trainer has experienced a highly successful start to the season, amassing seven city winners and currently sitting third on the Sydney trainers’ premiership, behind the formidable Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher.

Get the latest racing odds at top Australian betting sites for the Concorde Stakes.

Considering Enzo Fernandez wasn’t even supposed to be starting the game against Coventry City, the Manchester City midfielder comfortably settled into his new surroundings on Saturday.

Speaking of comfort, Rayan Cherki is so relaxed on the eye it’s as if he’s wearing slippers such is the poise and grace with which the playmaker effortlessly yet decisively drifts across the turf.

Fernandez and Cherki were two of City‘s standout performers in the win over Coventry and the pair showed signs of striking up an early and dangerous partnership that will have defences at home and across Europe worried.

Cherki’s start to the season has been sensational and while he didn’t manage a goal or assist against Coventry in his 65 minutes on the pitch, he was the game’s standout attacking player. He hit the post early on and was a constant threat with his quick footwork, his vision, awareness and creativity. Every he time he got on the ball there was an expectation of what was to come.

Fernandez, who lasted 10 minutes longer than Cherki before he too was replaced to a standing ovation, played in a more advanced role and regularly got forward to threaten the Coventry backline.

The former Chelsea man displayed a sharp turn in the first half and played a little pass into Cherki who saw his shot blocked, with Fernandez then latching onto the rebound and seeing two efforts of his own deflected away from danger.

The closing stages of the opening period saw the two combine again to send Erling Haaland through when Fernandez played a slide-rule pass into Cherki, who flicked the ball round the corner to the onrushing Haaland, who was denied by a smart save from visiting keeper Carl Rushworth.

Considering Fernandez had had just two training sessions with his new team-mates since arriving on Monday and hadn’t played since the opening weekend of the season having sat out Chelsea’s games since then ahead of his switch to the Etihad, the 25-year-old looked sharp and fit.

Maresca labelled him a winner on several occasions in his press conference on Friday and spoke again after the win over Coventry over the World Cup winner’s ability to help this City side be successful. Cherki is already doing his bit. Both have a winning mentality, a maverick streak and a swagger.

Maresca’s City are already looking one of the league’s great entertainers and in Cherki and Fernandez, who shared a hug before kick off against Coventry, they have two of the superstar showdown.

Expect fireworks as Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn prepare to clash next weekend, in a battle of two of boxing’s most-divisive stars.

American welterweight Garcia puts the WBC title on the line against Britain’s Benn, with the pair headlining in Las Vegas.

Both men draw mixed reactions from fans of the sport, and both have returned adverse drug-test results in recent years. Still, they find themselves topping the bill in a huge fight, as Garcia makes his first defence of his world title, while Benn challenges for a major belt for the first time.

Benn, 30, enters the bout on the back of a points win against ex-champion Regis Prograis in April, and a decision victory over bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr, who previously handed Benn his sole professional loss.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Garcia won the WBC strap by dropping and outpointing Mario Barrios in February, bouncing back from an upset loss to Rolly Romero. “King Ryan”’s only other defeat came in 2023, when he was stopped to the body by Gervonta Davis.

Here’s all you need to know.

When is the fight?

Garcia vs Benn will take place on Saturday 12 September at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card will begin at 1am BST on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday), with main-event ring walks following at around 4am BST (8pm PT / 10 CT / 11pm ET on Saturday).

How can I watch it?

Garcia vs Benn and its undercard will stream live on DAZN in the UK and in most countries worldwide – at a pay-per-view cost of £24.99, or as part of the Ultimate Tier, which costs £24.99 a month. You can purchase the pay-per-view here, which also allows eight free days of DAZN Standard.

In the US, Paramount+ will stream the action. The Independent will also provide live updates on fight night.

Odds

Garcia – 3/10

Benn –5/2

Draw – 16/1

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Fight card in full

Subject to change; ‘C’ denotes champion:

Ryan Garcia (C) vs Conor Benn (WBC welterweight title)

Jai Opetaia (C) vs Noel Mikaelian (Zuffa cruiserweight title)

Da’Mazion Vanhouter vs Raphael Akpejiori (heavyweight)

Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes (lightweight)

Jose Carlos Ramirez vs Alexis Rocha (welterweight)

Abel Gonzalez vs Raul Salomon (super-middleweight)

Vlad Panin vs Dakota Linger (welterweight)

Oswaldo Molina vs Pablo Rubio (super-featherweight)

Sean Garcia vs Abraham Morales (lightweight)

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Former WWE star Braun Strowman recently announced his in-ring retirement. The Monster Among Men had a few stints with WWE, and his latest run ended last year.

Injuries plagued the big man throughout his career. Being over 340 pounds put a strain on his knees and legs. He also had issues with his back.

Despite his tenure with WWE ending in 2025, Strowman appeared on the USA Network’s show Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman. It airs Friday nights after SmackDown.

While injuries played a part in his retirement, Strowman will certainly be remembered for several things. He won many titles, including tag team gold, the Intercontinental Championship, and the Universal Championship.

Strowman also displayed his Strongman background by lifting vehicles and other heavy obstacles. He had memorable feuds with Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, pro boxer Tyson Fury, and the late Bray Wyatt.

While fans would love to see Braun Strowman in a WWE ring one more time, he’s hanging up his boots. Strowman’s in-ring career is potentially over for any of the following four reasons.

#4. Some stars will only wrestle for WWE

When a star comes up through the WWE Performance Center instead of the independent wrestling scene, they may feel that going to a smaller promotion is beneath them.

This isn’t a knock on smaller promotions. When someone’s had a taste of working for the biggest wrestling company in the world, it’s hard to get the same benefits from a different company.

Braun Strowman started his wrestling career in WWE and became a huge star in the company. He won several titles and wrestled in front of thousands of people each week on television.

WWE has the greatest exposure of any wrestling company, so moving to a smaller one would limit that exposure. Braun Strowman made his name in Vince McMahon and Triple H’s promotion. If he thought about wrestling again, it would only make sense to do so in WWE. That’s not his plan, so he opted for his in-ring retirement.

#3. Doesn’t have the passion to wrestle

Many athletes say they want to retire from their profession on their terms, and that’s sometimes the case. Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady felt like he could play into his mid-40s, and he did so.

He won a Super Bowl at age 43. His body allowed him to compete at a high level, so he retired when he wanted to. Others hang up their boots earlier than expected because they don’t have the desire to compete.

Barry Sanders was one of the greatest running backs of all time but retired after only 10 seasons in the NFL. AJ Styles could have kept wrestling at a high level despite being 46.

Styles wanted to retire on his terms, and he did so after losing to Gunther earlier this year. Braun Strowman may enjoy the craft, but he doesn’t have the itch to get into the ring in 2026.

#2. He’s busy with other projects

When a WWE star reaches a certain level of fame, they’re often approached for outside projects. Cody Rhodes appeared in episodes of Arrow. He plays Guile in the upcoming Street Fighter Film.

CM Punk has acted in a few shows and lesser-known movies. The Rock famously left WWE for Hollywood. Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper appeared in several movies while still in their primes.

Braun Strowman is a physical specimen, so he could make the transition to acting in films and TV shows. His current project is the show Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman.

The big man travels to different American cities to taste the region’s local cuisine. The USA Network renewed his show for a second season, so Strowman can focus on that project instead of wrestling several times a week.

#1. Braun Strowman endured several injuries during his career

Wrestling is an extremely physical sport. Injuries are part of the game, just like any other professional sport. With the amount of high-flying spots and physical encounters, some stars are injured numerous times during their careers.

Seth Rollins had a few knee injuries that derailed runs as champion. Cody Rhodes had a torn pectoral muscle. Kevin Owens recently returned to the ring after missing over 17 months due to a neck injury.

Braun Strowman was known for his monster-like feats of strength and physical in-ring game. He overpowered opponents and tossed them around the ring.

His unique size and style led to numerous injuries over the years. He missed time due to injuries to his knees, elbow, and neck. Those ailments can pile up over time, especially as one gets older.

Since Strowman wasn’t active in WWE, it didn’t make sense to get back into the ring and risk another potential injury. There have been advancements in medicine, but Braun Strowman felt that retiring from the ring was the best thing for his body.