Should luck have swung I Am Aria’s way, the Mark Walker charge might enter the Blue Diamond Stakes undefeated.

In reality, though, I Am Aria has recorded placings in both lead-up efforts, second on debut via the Blue Diamond Preview and third next out in the Blue Diamond Prelude.

Ben Gleeson, Walker’s assistant, holds firm that the Preview and Prelude form across fillies’ and colts/geldings’ divisions is superior, placing I Am Aria squarely in the mix for Caulfield’s premier 1200m Group 1 for juveniles this Saturday.

Betting has I Am Aria at $34, with Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s colts Big Sky ($4.20) and Guest House ($4.50) favoured.

Her barrier six draw – gate four if emergencies don’t start – is spot-on, per Gleeson.

“She’s a filly that puts herself in the race and has led up, unfortunately, in two starts without having a backside to follow,” Gleeson said.

“She’s been very gallant in defeat. She’s probably been entitled to drop out, but she’s been there whacking away at the finish.

“If she can find a backside on Saturday, she’s going to appreciate stepping up to 1200 (metres) and hopefully she’s finishing off.”

Post-spring jump-outs/trials and a brief break, the Blue Diamond Stakes was earmarked for I Am Aria.

“You probably don’t expect an I Am Invincible filly to get here, especially with the physique she has,” Gleeson said.

“She’s a big, strong three-year-old type of filly and whatever she does now she is going to be better in the spring. She’s has copped the work, she’s very sound and has a fantastic mind.

“She’s always shown us the characteristics that she could get here. To run second and third in the Preview and the Prelude, there’s probably no better form and history probably shows horses that run in those two are the ones that are generally around the mark on final day.

“She’s done nothing wrong, anyway.”

Gleeson views this two-year-old crop as level-pegging, no single horse towering over others as in bygone eras.

Victorian juveniles have shone interstate, he noted.

“It will probably take until Saturday for a star to emerge,” Gleeson said.

“It’s a nice crop of two-year-olds at the moment, they’re going to Sydney and running well, they’re going to Magic Millions and winning.

“The horses that have been down here are leading the way.

“I think the six or seven from the Previews and the Preludes are the standouts.

“There has been lots of eye-catching runs and a lot will come down to who gets the right run in the race and our filly should certainly get that.”

Craig Williams, after winning the Blue Diamond Stakes on Catchy in 2017, retains the ride on I Am Aria for Saturday.

Visit top racing betting markets ahead of the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Number 12-ranked TCU Women’s Basketball extended its winning streak to three games this Wednesday with a 72-50 victory on the road over Houston. TCU moved into sole possession of first place in the Big 12 as they look to win back-to-back regular season conference titles. The Horned Frogs have held two straight opponents to just 50 points, as the TCU defense has been rock solid as of late. The Frogs moved to 24-4 on the year and 12-3 in Big 12 play with the win and have a half game lead on second place in the Big 12 with three games left in the regular season.

After being mercilessly pummelled by France a fortnight ago, Ireland arrived in south-west London and showed the rugby world they’re not quite done yet.

On Thursday, Farrell urged his players to “fire a few shots”, and they responded to end England’s nine-match winning run at home in ruthless fashion and ruin Maro Itoje’s 100th cap.

Heavily criticised for their passive, leggy display in Paris, Ireland rediscovered the defensive grit and attacking flair that propelled them to the top of the world rankings leading into the 2023 World Cup.

There were monumental performances all over the field.

Caelan Doris produced one of his best displays as captain, Crowley impressed at fly-half, Rob Baloucoune delivered crucial moments at both ends of the field, and Josh van der Flier responded emphatically to being dropped for last week’s win over Italy.

But no Irish player stood taller than Jamison Gibson-Park, who epitomised Ireland’s desire to best England on both sides of the ball with a virtuoso display at scrum-half.

The British and Irish Lion, who started on the bench against Italy, scored Ireland’s first try, created the second for Baloucoune, and ended his day with a much-deserved player of the match award.

“I called it after a few of his first moments that he’d get man of the match,” legendary Irish scrum-half Conor Murray said on the Ireland Rugby Social.

“He kept things quick, did what he does best. Tadhg Beirne was unbelievably sharp to give him the ball for that try and everything flowed after that. He was brilliant.”

No. 10 at Riviera has drawn its fair share of criticism (and praise) from golf’s best in recent years.

Rory McIlroy said the 315-yard par-4 “stinks.” Max Homa said it is “either the best hole in the world or the worst.” Jon Rahm said it could be his “favorite hole” on the course. Collin Morikawa called it the “hardest hole” on the famed property. Tony Finau went the other way, praising the “amazing” hole.

On Friday at the Genesis Invitational, another star added his name to one side of the debate over George C. Thomas’ famed short par-4.

After making an easy par at No. 10 during Thursday’s opening round, 2022 U.S. Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick had a different experience on Friday.

The pin placement during the opening round was in the back right, which allowed Fitzpatrick to make a stress-free birdie. But on Friday, the in was in the middle and just three paces from the left edge. Fitzpatrick lost his tee shot out to the right, leaving him 47 yards to the pin. After surveying his options with his caddie, Fitzpatrick elected to play his second shot well left of the pin. The thinking was that Fitzpatrick would either give himself a long birdie putt or the ball would roll down into the collection area and he’d have a chance to get up-and-down for par. But he missed his spot and ended up dumping his second into the greenside bunker. His third shot was no easier than his second. He blasted out over the green and into the collection area. He pitched up and eventually tapped in for bogey, which was one of only two bogeys he made while firing a five-under 66.

“It was a great round. Felt like I played really solid. Just bogey on 10, the world’s most impossible golf hole. I’ll leave it there,” Fitzpatrick said after his round.

“I don’t really want to talk about it too much, I’ll just get wound up. But it’s hit and hope, let’s leave it at that.”

Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only one in his threesome to get bitten by Riviera’s short par-4. Both Aaron Rai and Garrick Higgo also made bogey.

“We all made bogey. I said, ‘great bogeys, guys,’” Fitzpatrick said. “I got a laugh out of everyone, which was good.”

In 2023, McIlroy said that he believes the kikuyu grass that runs up to and around the green is the issue. He suggested either re-grassing that area so the ball can run up or making the green a bit softer. As it stands right now, in McIlroy’s view, there is no skill involved in the hole.

In Fitzpatrick’s mind, No. 10 at Riviera breaks one of the most important rules for a hole.

“I just don’t think it’s a fair golf hole, so I’ll just leave it at that,” Fitzpatrick said.

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Vanderbilt Commodores guard Duke Miles is expected back in action for Saturday’s game against the Tennessee Volunteers, per college basketball insider Jeff Borzello. Miles has been out for the past three weeks after undergoing “clean-up” knee surgery.

“Vanderbilt guard Duke Miles has been upgraded to probable for tomorrow’s game against Tennessee,” Borzello wrote on X

Vanderbilt basketball coach Mark Byington also confirmed his availability during a press conference on Friday.

“Duke is expected to go,” he said. “He practiced yesterday. He’s had a good week. He hung back instead of going to Missouri with us so he could train here. We’re expecting him to go.

“He’s in incredible shape,” Byington added. “A lot of times it’s conditioning with players, but talking with my trainer, he said he’s doing great there. Watching him in practice, he looks really good. I think his rhythm will be good.”

Miles is averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game. He last played for the Commodores on Jan. 24 in a contest against Mississippi State, scoring 17 points. He has since missed five games.

What Duke Miles’ return means for Vanderbilt

His return is great news for Byington’s team, as the Commodores look to improve on their 21-5 record. The team is fresh off a painful 81-80 defeat to Missouri and will be hoping to return to winning on Saturday. Having Miles on the lineup will improve the chances of that happening.

“He does a lot on the offensive end,” said Byington. “He gives us another ball handler, along with Tyler Tanner, who really makes plays out there. His steals are impactful. He makes an impact everywhere he goes.”

With his return, another big question is how many minutes Miles will be able to put in on Saturday.

“You’ve got to read the game, but we’re not going into the game thinking [about a minute restriction]. We’ll see how it goes,” Byington said. “I’m probably going to have to get him out at certain times, but as the coach, I feel better when he’s on the court, even if it’s his first game back. We’ll try to keep him out there.”

Tanner has been Vanderbilt’s most reliable ball handler since Duke Miles’ absence, although AK Okereke has also been helpful in filling in for Miles. However, Miles’ impact is difficult to replicate, especially with Frankie Collins also out.