The filly Scintillation’s connections, impressed by her pedigree, are weighing up a wide draw entry into the Lonhro Plate against opting for a milder midweek target.
Bred from superstar sire I Am Invincible and out of stakes mare Minhaaj, she has trialled effectively on two occasions in the lead-up to her race debut, potentially now shifted due to copping the outside gate 13 in Saturday’s Listed feature.
“I’m not sure if she will run yet. There are a couple of options next week we want to think about,” co-trained Tom Charlton said.
“She’s a very sharp filly. Not the biggest but very strong and her trials have been sharp so we will look for her running well whenever she does.”
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Her dam dominated her first pair of starts at two, highlighted by success in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Flemington’s track, later collecting additional elite honours with John O’Shea.
Charlton, then part of his co-trainer’s team, highlighted likenesses between the filly and her parent.
“Minhaaj probably had a little bit more size, but she has thrown a very good first foal,” he said.
“There are a lot of similarities in the sense of their strength.
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“We’d obviously love to achieve some black type for connections. She is a valuable proposition. We’re still learning about her, but her trials are indicative that she could do that.”
Intent on debuting their exciting three-year-old Napoleonic in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m), the stable faces quality rivals but Charlton looks forward to testing him.
“Tempted is arguably the best 1200-metre three-year-old and she brings extremely good form, and Wodeton has good form and gets in very well at the weights getting two-and-a-half kilos off us,” he said.
“But we couldn’t be happier with our fellow. He is a really nice horse and I’m sure he will run very well.”
Sep 15, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Amazon executive chairman Jeff Bezos in attendance before the Kansas City Chiefs play against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Washington Post shuttered its venerable sports department on Wednesday, part of a larger layoff involving one-third of the newspaper’s staff.
“The Washington Post is taking a number of difficult but decisive actions today for our future, in what amounts to a significant restructuring across the company,” a Post spokesperson said in a statement. “These steps are designed to strengthen our footing and sharpen our focus on delivering the distinctive journalism that sets The Post apart and, most importantly, engages our customers.”
Executive editor Matt Murray announced the changes in a video conference with employees.
The move comes with Post reporters already on site covering Super Bowl LX and the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
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“It’s like somebody taking a hammer to my heart,” Sally Jenkins, who wrote a Post sports column until she left the paper last summer, told The Ringer. “It’s not just broken. It’s broken into about 20 pieces, one for every single one of my close friends there.”
Some sports reporters are expected to move into other roles, but the exact number was not reported.
A skeleton crew will continue to produce what Murray described as features about sports as a “cultural and societal phenomenon.”
The Post has undergone repeated changes, downsizings and reinventions since Amazon chief Jeff Bezos purchased the paper in 2013.
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In addition to cutting the sports pages, the Post is reducing its international footprint, making the Metro section more “nimble and focused” and eliminating the Books section.
Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, delivered a dominant performance as they thrashed the Oyo State women’s side 15–0 in a friendly match played behind closed doors in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The test game was part of the Falconets’ build-up to their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Senegal and offered a clear sign of the team’s attacking strength ahead of the decisive tie.
Adegbemile Rebecca stole the spotlight with three goals, while Alaba Olabiyi and Ifeanyi Kindness both scored twice. Ramotalahi Kareem, Nwachukwu Chisom, Moshood Shakirat, Janet Akekoromowei, Mamudu Mary, Oscar Precious, Kafayat Mafisere and Adeshina Fatimoh also got on the scoresheet to complete the emphatic win.
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The coaching crew used the closed-door encounter to fine-tune tactics, assess player combinations and test overall team balance ahead of the qualifier.
The Falconets will take on Senegal in the first leg of the U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier on Saturday, February 7, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 pm.
The stable of Anthony and Sam Freedman seeks a steadier autumn run for Tom Kitten than the spring’s disruptions.
Spring saw Tom Kitten in perpetual recovery mode following a gate scratch during the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in August.
Tom Kitten joined the Freedman father-and-son operation for his first time after James Cummings left Godolphin.
The new season will see Cummings launch his training in Hong Kong.
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According to Sam Freedman, the gelding’s prior prep flowed smoothly to the intended opener, with the co-trainer stating the ongoing one is even stronger.
Marcus Rashford’s future appears to lie away from Manchester United, with a move to Barcelona looking a strong possibility at the end of the season
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is reportedly the strongest advocate for wanting to keep Marcus Rashford at the club beyond the summer. Rashford’s loan from Manchester United expires at the end of the season, but Barcelona retain an option to make the move permanent.
Rashford has made it clear he wants a long‑term future at the Camp Nou, having previously reiterated his desire to stay. “Of course what I want is to stay at Barca,” he told Sport.
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“It’s an end goal, but it’s not the reason why I’m training hard and giving it my best. The purpose is to win. Barca is a huge, fantastic club, built to win titles. I can’t be in a place where important objectives are not demanded of you;
“For me it is more difficult to be motivated and give my best at a club where the demand is not maximum. I’m in the perfect place and environment to continue my journey as a football player, so I just try to do my best every day and help the team win. We’ll see what happens next summer.”
It’s now being reported in Spain that Flick has already made his stance clear to the board and president Joan Laporta. He is believed to see the England international as a strong fit for the club’s vision and sees his skill set match naturally with the rest of the attacking department.
In Flick’s view, a player with Rashford’s level of international pedigree, still operating in his prime years, is reportedly an asset ‘too valuable to overlook.’
Trabzonspor delivered a strong second-half display to claim a comfortable 3–0 victory over Fethiyespor in Group A of the Turkish Cup.
Nigerian players Anthony Nwakaeme, Paul Onuachu and Chibuike Nwaiwu all featured as the Black Sea side brushed aside their lower-league opponents.
The match remained goalless for much of the contest, with Fethiyespor holding firm for over an hour. However, Trabzonspor raised the tempo late on and quickly took control.
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The breakthrough came in the 69th minute when Ernest Muçi finished neatly after being picked out by Nwakaeme, whose vision and movement caused problems for the defence.
That goal sparked a flurry of action. Seven minutes later, Nwakaeme doubled the lead with a fine individual effort, cutting inside before firing a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner.
Trabzonspor wrapped up the win in the 78th minute. Onuachu, who came on at the break, showed his striker’s instinct by tapping in from close range to make it 3–0.
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Defender Chibuike Nwaiwu also played his part as Trabzonspor stayed solid at the back and comfortably managed the closing stages.
The result lifts Trabzonspor to the top of Group A with six points from three matches, putting pressure on their rivals in the race for qualification.
The game was particularly encouraging for Nwakaeme, who scored his first goal of the season after returning from a long injury absence. His performance will be a big confidence boost as the campaign progresses.
Onuachu also maintained his impressive form, taking his total to 14 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions.
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For Fethiyespor, the defeat leaves them bottom of the group with just one point, leaving their hopes of progressing in the Turkish Cup hanging by a thread.
Gavin McKenna, a star forward for the Penn State hockey team who is widely considered the top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, is facing a felony charge following an alleged incident at a bar in State College, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night, Onward State reports.
According to a court filing, McKenna is awaiting a preliminary hearing after being charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor simple assault, as well as summary counts of harassment and disorderly conduct. The Felony I charge is defined as “attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference.”
According to Onward State, McKenna and other members of Penn State’s hockey team met at Doggie’s Pub with friends and family after Saturday’s game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium before the alleged assault occurred. McKenna is accused of assaulting an individual, who reportedly suffered a broken jaw in the incident.
An NCAA rule change allowed junior hockey players from the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League to play Division I hockey. In the past, junior hockey players were considered professionals and therefore weren’t allowed to play in the NCAA, but the change allowed a prospect of McKenna’s caliber to go through the college recruiting process in the U.S.
As a 17-year-old, McKenna put together a sensational season for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League in 2024-25. He posted 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games while also producing 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 16 playoff games as Medicine Hat won the WHL Championship. McKenna, who recorded a 54-game point streak, ranked second in the WHL in points and fifth in goals while leading the league in assists.
Nigerian forward Samuel Amadi was the star for Smouha as they secured a 2-1 win over Pyramid SC in the Egyptian Premier League on Wednesday.
Amadi, a former Akwa United winger who helped the team win the 2021 NPFL title, scored early in the 3rd minute to put Smouha ahead. Pyramid SC equalised in the 26th minute through Zalaka, but the late 88th-minute goal from Ashraf handed Smouha the victory.
The result leaves Pyramid SC with 28 points, drifting further behind league leaders Ceramica Cleopatra, who have 32 points, while Smouha move up to 25 points.
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Pyramid SC will now travel to Nigeria on Friday to face Rivers United FC at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Akwa Ibom. Meanwhile, Amadi continues to impress in Egypt, showing his quality since leaving Nigeria’s domestic league.
Shakur Stevenson is no longer WBC Lightweight World Champion.
The 28 year old from Newark won the vacant WBC strap back in November of 2023 with a victory over Edwin De Los Santos. Despite becoming champion in a third division that night, his performance was widely criticised as too safety-first.
In his first defence, the only fight he had in 2024, Stevenson put on a similar showing against Artem Harutyunyan before stopping late replacement Josh Padley in February 2025. His stock rose significantly when taking on pressure fighter William Zepeda that July, retaining the belt for a third time in a much more fan-friendly affair.
Though his next move is undecided – he has been discussing yet another jump up to compete at welterweight – what is now clear is that he won’t be defending the WBC belt at 135lbs. The sanctioning body today released the following statement:
“On January 31, 2026, WBC World Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson gave a brilliant performance to defeat WBO World Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo López. Champion Stevenson is now a 4-time World Champion; a feat achieved by a few boxers in history. Among those boxers we find Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Terrence Crawford.
“Throughout his career, Champion Stevenson has maintained a historic and extraordinarily successful relationship with the WBC. His ascent to the top began in January 2019, when he captured the WBC Continental Americas title; signaling the start of a career destined for greatness.
“In 2022, Stevenson solidified his elite status by defeating Oscar Valdez to become the WBC Super Featherweight Champion. Subsequently, in 2023, he moved up to the lightweight division to claim the Green and Gold belt; a title he defended with pride and technical mastery on three consecutive occasions.
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“In light of Champion Stevenson now being the reigning WBO Super Lightweight World Champion and consistent with the WBC Rules & Regulations, the WBC has declared vacant its Lightweight World title.
“The WBC wishes Champion Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavors, both inside and outside the ring.
“The WBC will provide further information regarding the process to crown a new Lightweight World Champion in the near future.”
Stevenson may consider sticking around at 140lbs to defend his newly won WBO strap, though he seems focused more on major names rather than mandatories. Post-fight, as well as targetting Conor Benn at 147, he has named Isaac Cruz as a potential opponent, while also saying he would be willing to face Devin Haney.
Clayton Douglas’ charge Kaye Jay has made giant strides since entering his stable for the first serious test.
Following the gelding’s initial triumph at Sandown, the handler is mulling over a tilt at the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) scheduled for Morphettville in May.
Kaye Jay ($5), on just his second start, secured a decisive three-quarter length success in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate on Wednesday, edging out Mr Independent ($9.50) with Butterscotch ($15) just a long neck behind in third.
“This horse has taken leaps and bounds from the time he arrived,” Douglas said.
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“I think he got beaten 20 or 30 lengths in his first ever jump-out. He was completely hopeless, but he has taken that improvement, and you like to see that in three-year-olds, especially staying types.
“I haven’t had to train him up too much this time, he’s got there himself and to run well at his first start and then win at his second, he can definitely go forward.”
Sandown Hillside Race 1 | Kaye Jay
After finishing 2nd on debut, the @c_douglasracing 3YO goes one better, stepping up to a mile in town 👊🏻
Pep Guardiola’s claim to greatness stems from much more than just the Carabao Cup but a man who has won much else is now one victory away from being out on his own as the most successful manager in its history. Only the ally turned enemy, Mikel Arteta, who was by his side for the first two of his four Wembley triumphs in this competition, can deny him a fifth, which would take him clear of Brian Clough, Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Newcastle could not halt him. Their defence of their first major trophy since 1969 ended with a whimper. Their chances of a comeback were all but ended inside seven minutes, gone completely after 32 minutes and snuffed out in part by the goalkeeper they forever try to buy. They were dispatched from the competition by a much-weakened Manchester City side.
Even as Guardiola gave Erling Haaland 70 minutes of rest, he had the ideal alternative. Some 42 percent of Omar Marmoush’s City goals have been against Newcastle, even if his double came in distinctly fortunate fashion. Newcastle had no such luck, no potency when it mattered. Wembley glory last year came courtesy of Alexander Isak but the Swede is gone and so, now, is their trophy. Anthony Gordon, their outstanding individual over 180 minutes in the 2025 semi-final against Arsenal, limped off. It was another indication of how times have changed.
The sad reality for Newcastle is that City progressed while prioritising Sunday’s trip to Liverpool. Rodri, Rayan Cherki, the fit-again Ruben Dias and Gianluigi Donnarumma joined Haaland on the bench, though Guardiola ended up summoning three of them for the last 20 minutes. The injured Bernardo Silva was not even a replacement. Nico O’Reilly stood in as a midfielder, as he had done at St James’ Park three weeks ago, and again impressed.
And much of the hard work was done on Tyneside. In the rematch, their task was to avoid a repeat of Sunday. City had squandered a 2-0 lead over Tottenham. They entered this game with the same advantage, and produced a very different outcome.
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They were soon ahead. Minus Haaland, Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo were the spearheads of a 4-2-2-2 formation. Each was prominent from the off.
Omar Marmoush settled the tie early in the first half after Man City brought in a 2-0 lead from the first leg (Action Images via Reuters)
For his first goal, as Dan Burn tackled Marmoush, the ball ricocheted in off the Egyptian. There may have been something symbolic in that: Burn scored the towering header in last season’s final and now, in his defensive duties, he inadvertently contributed to City leading.
Marmoush’s second came courtesy of Kieran Trippier, in attempting to clear Semenyo’s low cross, only succeeded in spooning the ball up in the air. Marmoush headed it over the line from a yard.
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Semenyo, scorer of the first in the first leg, played a part in two goals in the second. When Burn tackled him, the ball fell for Tijjani Reijnders to finish. The Dutchman should have scored a second from a similar position, though, at that stage, it would have felt cruel to score City’s sixth of the tie.
Marmoush headed in City’s second goal as Newcastle’s plans fell apart early on (REUTERS)
Tijjani Reijnders made matters worse for Newcastle by slotting in the third goal of the night (Getty Images)
Because Newcastle’s hopes had been snuffed out by a man invariably on their wishlist. Eddie Howe targets James Trafford every summer. The goalkeeper demonstrated why. Fine saves from Joe Willock, Gordon and Trippier, all at 1-0, denied United an equaliser on the night. He later denied Sven Botman in what was probably the finest display of his City career and, even without getting the reward of a clean sheet, pressed his case to play at Wembley.
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If Guardiola’s selection choices worked, Howe’s did not. He had used a back three to considerable success in last season’s semi-final against Arsenal. Repeating that strategy backfired. Despite Newcastle’s many defenders, they were caught on the break for City’s second and third goals.
When Howe made a triple attacking change, the opportunities Newcastle fashioned should leave them with regrets they were not more positive from the off. Yoane Wissa missed a terrific chance with his first touch.
Anthony Gordon added to Newcastle’s woes with a hamstring injury two minutes before half-time (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
But, some 32 games into his Newcastle career, Anthony Elanga finally scored his first goal, after a terrific solo run. The former Manchester United winger’s name was chorused by the travelling Tynesiders and he ought to have had a second. Harvey Barnes also looked a threat.
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It prompted Guardiola to send for Rodri, Cherki and Haaland and, from the Frenchman’s pass, the Norwegian had a shot tipped on to the post by Aaron Ramsdale. It spared Newcastle further punishment but this was a familiar outcome. They have lost their last 12 games at the Etihad Stadium, conceding 40 goals.
Some of the City faithful still stayed away. The empty seats were referenced in taunts by the Newcastle fans. Perhaps their City counterparts were saving their money for Wembley. They will go there, to face Arsenal and Arteta.
