The biggest ever televised heads-up poker match just happened, to the tune of $20 million. At a casino on Jeju Island, South Korea, poker legend Patrik Antonius went up against crypto casino owner Ossi Ketola, and the result was a gruelling four and a half hours of poker.

Antonius is a Poker Hall of Famer, one of the most feared and most watched cash game players who has ever lived. Ossi “Monarch” Ketola, also Finnish, made his fortune from CS:GO skin gambling and his current crypto casino ventures. A few years ago, reportedly, he didn’t know the rules of the game.

It was a surprisingly even match, with the commentators lauding Ketola’s play at various junctures. This clearly isn’t the Ketola who was getting cleaned out by professionals in smaller heads-up battles at previous events.The gap between them never really exceeded $2 million either way, until a hand befitting the stakes arrived just past the four-hour mark.

Antonius opened for $100,000 with K♦️9♠️ and Ketola 3-bet to $350,000 with Q♥️9♥️. The flop came Q♠️8♥️J♥️, giving Ketola top pair with a flush draw and a straight draw. He checked it. Antonius took a stab for $175,000 with his gutshot and was instantly check-raised to $525,000. The Finnish legend took a second, called, and the dream turn card came off — for Ketola.

The T♥️ brought in Ossi’s straight flush, while Antonius hit his gutshot straight. Ketola checked once again, and Antonius had to think he had the best hand, betting $625,000 and leaving himself just over $4 million behind. Ketola found the play every poker player loves making, the double check-raise, bumping it up to $1.6 million. The always stoic Antonius took little time before calling. The river 3♣️ was a pure blank, and Ossi took seconds before putting in the rest of Antonius’s chips. He thought it over with clear discomfort, counted his stack, and found the fold, putting his straight in the muck.

Antonius joked about whether he was allowed to know if he’d just been bluffed, before looking down at A♦️K♦️ the very next hand. Ossi opened K♣️J♣️ for $250,000. Antonius resumed the stoic face and slid out a raise to $850,000. Ossi took little time before pushing all in, and all of a sudden Antonius was a huge favourite in an $8.15 million pot, and very much back in the match.

While the dealer prepared to run out the board, Antonius was still poking Ketola about whether he’d made a good fold. “Secret,” smiled Ossi. Antonius replied: “There are no secrets between you and I, you know that.” He might not be wrong. Antonius is publicly tied to Ketola’s casino as a business partner, though neither man has ever spelled out the arrangement, and he’s the person who brought Ketola into poker in the first place allegedly.

The Q♠️9♠️5♣️ flop was a little scary for Antonius, adding outs and a backdoor flush for his protégé, but the killer J♠️ turn was the dagger, before the $20 million bout ended on the 7♣️.

For the past few decades, heads-up poker has always been the action driver at the highest stakes. Whether it was Andy Beal, the Texas billionaire, challenging accomplished pros to heads-up mixed game matches at the Bellagio, Tom “durrrr” Dwan setting up the online durrrr Challenge, or the celebrity and VIP circuit, where well-known poker figures and wealthy amateurs battled mano a mano in private games.

The public never really got to see any of it until Ossi arrived on the high-stakes scene. He first battled Dan “Jungleman” Cates last year in Cyprus, losing around €13 million, and at Jeju at this time last year he scooped an $11 million pot off Alex Foxen, the biggest ever poker broadcast at the time (if you allow for the format), before outdoing it with a $12.7 million pot against Bjorn Li, still the largest we’ve seen on a poker livestream.

This week he took $6 million off well-known pro Wiktor “Limitless” Malinowski, before winning this monumental match against Antonius, a match where he admitted on stream that the $20 million mark made him “feel something.”

Antonius has been an ever-present in poker, the perpetual grinder who can commonly be found at the Bellagio or the Aria or wherever there’s a good high-stakes cash game running in the world. But it was a surprise to see him get this seat. His biggest heads-up claim to fame until now was losing the format’s most popular challenge many years ago to Dwan, battling no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha on Full Tilt.

Seventeen years after losing poker’s most famous heads-up challenge, Antonius just lost its biggest one.

Balancing motherhood and work is a challenge in any profession. But for footballers, whose peak sporting years coincide with their peak fertility, the choice can feel stark.

“For a woman whose sports career might last, say, 10 years at a high level, she starts thinking that getting pregnant really isn’t an option,” former Real Sociedad player, Larraitz Lucas, told DW. “When you are competing at a high level, all you are focusing on is the present.”

Until the last few years, only about 2% of footballers got pregnant during their careers, with many leaving the sport to pursue motherhood. But with increasing professionalization, organizations are starting to wrestle with the question of how to deal with players who want to have children.

Binding maternity regulations were introduced to the sport only in 2021 and strengthened in 2024. But for those who wish to postpone their pregnancy while playing, the issue of freezing eggs as a fertility treatment has come to the fore.

US club, Racing Louisville, were the first club side to offer to pay for such treatments in 2021, while English club Chelsea have announced this month that egg freezing will be funded for any player that wants it.

But, perhaps more significantly, the Spanish football federation, RFEF, are expected to become the first national federation to announce a similar policy soon after reported lobbying from star player Alexia Putellas and others.

How egg freezing can affect players during a season

Such options weren’t available to Spaniard Lucas in her playing career, which ended more than a decade ago. While she went through egg retrieval, in her case it was so her partner could have an embryo implanted to carry the baby. 

“You keep competing as best you can but no matter how much you try to align it with a weekend break from matches it’s tough. Really, before, during, and after the egg extraction, well… it wasn’t ideal,” said Lucas.

Though it depends somewhat on circumstances, egg freezing can take around three weeks. Women inject themselves every day before their eggs are harvested and frozen under sedation. To use the eggs at a later date, they must be thawed and injected with sperm to create embryos.

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But, as athlete gynaecologist, Lamia Zafrani, told DW, egg freezing is far from straightforward. “Egg freezing is not an insurance policy that is guaranteed to pay out. It’s always better if you freeze your eggs whilst you’re young because you’ve got younger eggs to then use for future IVF.

“But actually there’s no guarantee that when you defrost or thaw those eggs, turn them into embryos, that they’ll actually be successful and result in a successful live birth. And I think it’s these conversations that the athletes need to be made aware of because, at the end of the day, it’s all about informed consent.”

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Egg freezing ‘shouldn’t be tool to pressure players’

Zafrani added that the number of athletes in her London clinic asking about the procedure has risen sharply in recent times. “It is definitely something that athletes are very much asking for,” she said.

“But there’s always nuance to all of these conversations. While it’s great because the federations are listening to the players, ethically, it always does bring up the question of whether by offering egg freezing and fertility preservation, the underlying message is that you’re telling your players ‘don’t get pregnant whilst you’re working for us.’ And that can be problematic.”

It’s a concern that is shared by Alexandra Gómez Bruinewoud. The legal director of global players’ union, FIFPRO, was a co-author of the maternity policies adopted by football’s global governing body, FIFA. She said FIFPRO have been working on policies for assisted reproduction, including the freezing of eggs, but that ensuring players were educated about their choices was paramount.

“We don’t want it [egg freezing] to be used as a tool to pressure players not to become pregnant while they are playing because they are and they should always be fully entitled to decide when and how to become pregnant,” Bruinewoud told DW.

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There are, she said, several other considerations with regards to fertility and football, including doping concerns.

“When players go through assistive reproduction in general and if they are going to freeze eggs, in some situations they have to take hormones. And these substances can be prohibited in the WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) code.

“So we want to be sure to prevent a player being sanctioned when they are actually only trying to become pregnant or prepare things to be able to become pregnant in the future,” said Bruinewoud.

Why one global freezing policy may not work

She added that with costs, recovery and procedures varying, mandating one blanket global rule would be near impossible, and should be guided by medical practitioners. It is also tough to apply any universal standard to a sport where professionalization and finance varies significantly between countries.

“In my view, the best solution for that is collective negotiation at national level,” Bruinewoud said. “These are very expensive procedures and most of the players worldwide will probably not have access to this because of the cost.”

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For all three women, the most important factors are choice, education and empowerment to get pregnant at a time that suits them. The hope is that, if managed well, egg freezing provides another option, rather than the default path.

Edited by: Jonathan Harding

Phil Foden was sent off during the first-half at Old Trafford before Erling Haaland scored a controversial winner to hand Manchester City all three points

Bruno Fernandes has been told he should have been booked for his role in Phil Foden’s sending off during the Manchester derby. The Manchester City star was shown a straight red card during the first-half of his side’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. Foden kicked out at Fernandes after being fouled by the United captain, but replays showed Fernandes had appeared to kick Foden first. And former Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes Fernandes deserved to be punished for his role in the incident.

“I think this is an interesting one,” he told Football Insider. “The minimum that the Man United player should have received is a yellow card because his actions were reckless.

“But it was a kick. So I’m actually saying he should have received a sanction. I’ve already spoken to one or two colleagues who believe that he should have been sent off.

“But the thing that persuades me towards yellow and against red is I don’t think there was any excessive force and I generally don’t think there was malice in it.

“But that’s how I’m reading it, and that’s me as an individual. But certainly not getting a yellow was an error by the referee.”

Speaking immediately after the incident, Gary Neville said he was ‘surprised’ Fernandes avoided any punishment.

While former United skipper Roy Keane said at half-time: “Bruno goes in, tackles him, clearly fouls him and gives him a little boot on the floor. Foden gets up, does react, and he’s now sent off.

“I’m guessing it’s classed as violent conduct, but to me Bruno’s the one who’s violent here. I have to call it out.

“I called Kyle Walker out a few years ago when he went down to a headbutt [which Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund was sent off for in December 2024]. I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t.”

Before he added: “Did the player give the referee a chance [to send him off]? Foden’s a bit daft here, but so is Bruno. If Bruno got sent off for that and nothing happened with Foden then we’d be saying, ‘Do you know what, Bruno was a bit daft, a bit silly’.

“The players are all in the PFA [Professional Footballers’ Association], everyone’s in a union – you’ve got to try and look out for each other; you can’t be rolling around.

“We saw Walker do it a few years ago with the headbutt and Bruno’s got to do better there. People say there’s tension and it’s a big game, but you’ve got to look out for your team-mates and the opposition players as well. Foden, I don’t think it’s a red card.”

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Monday said Indian women team’s refusal to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi was Board’s “collective decision” and the Asian Cricket Council chairman also “did not raise any objection” to it. India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on Sunday in Dubai but did not accept the trophy from Naqvi, continuing a trend started by the men’s team during the 2025 Asia Cup following last year’s Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

“We discussed the matter among ourselves and decided that we would not accept it (trophy) from him. It was our collective decision. He (Naqvi) also did not raise any objection to it,” Shukla told reporters after arriving at the Indira Gandhi International Airport with the team.

“We informed our team accordingly, and he presented it to whoever he had to and then left,” Shukla added.

The veteran administrator’s words mirrored the stance of BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.

“We had taken a conscious decision considering all prevailing aspects, and our position had been communicated to the ACC in advance, that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation under the circumstances,” Saikia had told PTI earlier.

Some images had surfaced earlier of Saikia talking to Naqvi during the Asia Cup final but Shukla said it was a mere “routine interaction.”

“What Saikia ji said is absolutely correct. When you are at a match, everyone is present there and interacts in a professional capacity. Therefore, I do not think there should be so much criticism over that,” he said.

Shukla also congratulated the team on the Asia Cup triumph, and expressed confidence in the team doing well in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.

“We became Asia Cup champions. Our women have once again made us proud and we will continue to win in the future.

“The team is now heading to Japan and we are fully confident that we will secure a victory there as well,” he said.

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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Saudi Pro League trophy. (Pic credit: Al Nassr)

Cristiano Ronaldo is back where he believes Al Nassr belong. After spending last season in Asia’s second-tier competition, the Saudi giants return to the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday, with Ronaldo once again chasing the one major continental club trophy that has eluded him since moving to the Middle East. Their opening assignment is a familiar one: Al Ain, the same UAE club that ended Al Nassr’s Champions League run in 2024. But this is a very different Al Nassr, with a league title, a new manager and a revamped continental competition waiting for them.

Why are Al Nassr back in the AFC Champions League Elite?

Al Nassr’s absence from the top tier last season was not a permanent step down. The Riyadh club failed to qualify for the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite and instead competed in the second-tier AFC Champions League Two, where they eventually lost the final to Japan’s Gamba Osaka.Their route back was secured by winning the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League, ending a seven-year wait for the domestic title. Al Nassr finished two points ahead of Al-Hilal, with Ronaldo scoring twice in a 4-1 final-day victory over Damac to seal the championship.The title also brought a significant change on the touchline. Jorge Jesus departed after leading Al Nassr to the league crown, and the club appointed Ange Postecoglou on a two-year contract. The former Tottenham and Celtic manager had already won the UEFA Europa League with Spurs and brings previous Asian experience from his time with Australia and Yokohama F. Marinos.So, after playing in the secondary competition last season, Al Nassr are back in the continent’s premier club tournament for 2026–27.

What has changed in the AFC Champions League Elite?

Ronaldo’s return comes in the first season of a major expansion to the competition.The 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite has grown from 24 clubs to 32, split evenly between the West and East regions. Each region contains 16 teams, with every club playing eight league-stage matches: Four at home and four away, against eight different opponents.There are no traditional groups. Instead, all 16 clubs in each region are ranked in a single league table, with the top eight from each region advancing to the knockout stage.The round of 16 remains regional and is played over two legs, but the competition then moves to a centralised Finals in Saudi Arabia. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be staged there, with the final scheduled for May 1, 2027.For Al Nassr, the West Region is packed with familiar Saudi opposition. They are joined by Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadsiah, alongside clubs including Al Ain and Shabab Al Ahli from the UAE, Qatar’s Al Sadd, Al Gharafa and Al Shamal, Iran’s Esteghlal and Tractor, Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor and Neftchi, and Iraq’s Air Force Club.

What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League record with Al Nassr?

Ronaldo has already played a significant role in Al Nassr’s recent continental campaigns, although he has never taken the club all the way to the title.His first top-tier AFC Champions League campaign came in 2023–24, when Al Nassr reached the quarter-finals before losing to Al Ain on penalties. Ronaldo scored six goals in that tournament.He returned for the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite, when Al Nassr went further, reaching the semi-finals. Ronaldo scored eight goals, including against Al Ain in the league stage and in the quarter-final victory over Yokohama F. Marinos. The AFC confirmed he had reached eight goals in the competition after scoring in the 4-1 quarter-final win.That gives Ronaldo a top-tier record of 14 goals in 16 appearances for Al Nassr across those two campaigns.Last season was different. Ronaldo appeared four times in the AFC Champions League Two, scoring once, as Al Nassr’s continental campaign moved into the second tier.Now, at 41, he returns to the competition that matters most in Asia, and he does so having already won Champions League titles in Europe with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Who do Al Nassr play and what are their chances?

The comeback begins against Al Ain on Tuesday, September 15, at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm local time.It is a particularly interesting opening fixture because Al Ain are not an unfamiliar opponent. They eliminated Al Nassr in the 2023–24 quarter-finals, winning the tie on penalties after the two legs finished level on aggregate.The UAE side arrive with their own credentials, having completed a domestic double without losing a league match. They therefore represent a serious test immediately rather than a gentle introduction to the expanded competition.Al Nassr, meanwhile, have plenty of attacking firepower. Ronaldo is joined by Sadio Mané, João Félix and Kingsley Coman, while Postecoglou is now tasked with translating last season’s domestic success into continental progress.There is also unfinished business. Al Nassr have yet to win Asia’s premier club competition during Ronaldo’s time at the club, despite reaching the quarter-finals and then the semi-finals in his previous two top-tier campaigns. The club’s loss to Gamba Osaka in last season’s AFC Champions League Two final only added another painful continental chapter.This time, they return to the top table with a Saudi title behind them, a new manager in charge and Ronaldo once again leading the pursuit of a trophy he has never won in Asia.

Despite having announced his retirement and remained out the ring for over a year, Terence Crawford is experiencing an increasing demand to make his comeback.

The American retired as a five-division world champion last December, having also become a three-weight undisputed king after dethroning Canelo Alvarez a few months earlier.

Many regarded him as a considerable underdog but, after moving up two weight classes, Crawford cemented his greatness with a unanimous decision victory at 168lbs.

Prior to that, ‘Bud’ had dethroned Errol Spence Jr for the undisputed welterweight crown and, in terms of modern greats, he has unquestionably established himself as one of the best.

Yet despite his exit from the sport, Crawford has been repeatedly asked to gamble his unbeaten record against a selection of fighters, including Jaron Ennis.

But while ‘Boots’ is widely considered to be the most obvious opponent, Turki Alalshikh has reportedly told Mike Coppinger that he would rather see Bud square off against Canelo or Ryan Garcia.

Taking to social media, Coppinger revealed the Saudi boxing chief’s wish list which, rather surprisingly, includes a rematch between Canelo and Crawford.

Big-time fights @Turki_alalshikh tells me are on his wishlist to make:

Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua

Jai Opetaia-David Benavidez

Shakur Stevenson-Devin Haney

Naoya Inoue-Bam Rodriguez

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Terence Crawford-Canelo Alvarez rematch

Filip Hrgovic-Rico Verhoeven

Crawford-Ryan Garcia pic.twitter.com/4dJhvFfUAW

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) September 13, 2026

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Alvarez must first collide with WBC world super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli on October 31 and, even if he emerges victorious, there is unlikely to be much appetite for a second encounter with Bud.

More of a sellable product, however, would be a clash between Crawford and Garcia, who comes off a second-round finish over Conor Benn last weekend.

In doing so, the 28-year-old retained his WBC welterweight title and called for a unification match with WBA champion Teofimo Lopez, while having previously expressed his interest in facing Crawford.

Leeds United maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign and moved up to third place following a convincing 4-1 victory against Newcastle United at Elland Road.

Daniel Farke’s side struck twice in two minutes during the opening half via a Lewis Miley own goal and a Jayden Bogle finish, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin added a third prior to the break.

The dominance continued after the restart, with Noah Okafor adding a fourth to extend the advantage before substitute Bazoumana Toure managed a late consolation for the visitors.

Earlier, Newcastle survived initial pressure when appeals for a Leeds penalty were turned down after the ball appeared to hit debutant Matias Fernandes-Pardo’s arm on the edge of the area.

Visiting goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek subsequently made a low save to deny Bogle’s hooked effort, shortly before Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle was compelled to make an early substitution.

Summer signing Nico Gonzalez had needed treatment after being struck in the face by the ball in the opening exchanges and he was replaced by Sean Steur in the 20th minute.

Leeds continued to threaten and soon after Hornicek had punched clear Bogle’s dipping volley, they struck twice in as many minutes to take control.

Their opener came in fortuitous circumstances. Okafor cut in from the left and teed up Ao Tanaka, whose shot from the edge of the box took a double deflection – off Steur and then Lewis Miley – before spinning into the top corner.

There was nothing lucky about the home side’s second though after Steur’s misplaced pass out from the back had been pounced on by Bogle.

James Justin’s right-wing cross was met by Calvert-Lewin’s towering goal-bound header, which struck Bogle on the head before flying into the bottom corner.

Hornicek denied Leeds a third when he kept out close-range shots from Gabriel Gudmundsson and Calvert-Lewin in quick succession, but Newcastle fell 3-0 behind in first-half stoppage time.

Gudmundsson picked out Calvert-Lewin in the box and the striker side-stepped Sven Botman’s challenge to fire home a low finish inside the far post.

Leeds were unrelenting at the start of the second period and Anton Stach squandered a golden chance after intercepting Botman’s pass.

But after a non-plussed Jaissle sent on Joe Willock, Tino Livramento and Toure for Fernandes-Pardo, Amar Dedic and Jacob Murphy, Leeds added a fourth goal in the 59th minute.

Ethan Ampadu, celebrating his 26th birthday, swung a long throw into the box and Botman’s headed clearance was thumped inside the far post by Okafor on the half-volley.

Newcastle had not troubled home goalkeeper James Trafford throughout and a rare shot on target from Toure in the 89th minute was scant consolation for them as they slumped to a first defeat against Leeds in seven matches.

Savvy Hallie, under a purposeful ride from Nash Rawiller, dictated terms from the outset to secure victory in the $300,000 Sheraco Stakes over 1200 metres.

This Group 2 triumph is the third of its kind for Savvy Hallie, with trainer Michael Widdup keen to add a coveted Group 1 win to the mare’s record.

Looking ahead, Widdup mentioned the Group 1 $1 million Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on September 27 and the prestigious Group 1 $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 17 as potential major targets.

“She is definitely a Group 1 horse, we’ve got to try and win them now,” Widdup confirmed. “She is back in form now so fingers crossed she keeps going.

“The Manikato in Melbourne is the fork in the road but that looks pretty strong now, and The Everest has been mentioned.

“I would love to run her in The Invitation, hopefully they will give us an invitation, it would be nice to stay here but we will have a look at Melbourne next.”

The speedy Savvy Hallie, a $20 chance, led throughout, holding off Gangsta Granny ($6) by a neck, with the favoured Lazzura ($2.90) a half-neck further back in third.

Savvy Hallie’s time for the 1200m was a swift 1 minute 8.85 seconds, a mere 0.05 seconds off the race record set by Sunshine In Paris in 2023.

Her dominant win was a stark contrast to her last-start ninth in the Toy Show Quality at Randwick, though Widdup pointed to extenuating circumstances for that performance.

“Savvy Hallie has done it before,” Widdup elaborated. “We took her to the Gold Coast and thought she would be terribly hard to beat there but she was flat. She ran fourth and wasn’t at her best.

“First-up the other day, she did get slammed out of the gates and went to the inside which was a no-go zone.

“There were other things, apparently she was lame but she’s not lame today. There was not a thing wrong with her and she has proved that today.

“Nash was positive today and that is her at her best. He would have been positive last start if he was allowed too but it didn’t happen and that’s racing.

“She has been perfect since we got her home and it’s great to get another win.”

Rawiller commented that Savvy Hallie was a “different horse” at Rosehill compared to her disappointing Randwick run the previous month.

“I didn’t put that much weight on her getting checked out of the gates the other day, but I guess when you knock four lengths off them out of the gates it makes it hard to overcome that,” Rawiller stated.

“It meant a bit to me that win because I’ve had a good association with her. We were all pretty disappointed last time but kept the faith that she would bounce back, and it was great to see her come here today and do that.”

Rawiller echoed Widdup’s sentiment that Savvy Hallie possesses Group 1 winning capabilities.

“I’ve seen a lot of them, there are a lot of horses that have got that potential and they’re damn hard to win, those Group 1 races,” Rawiller said.

“But this is a mare that I think can definitely measure (up) to that level going forward.

“She will be wrapped up in kid gloves now and they’ll find another one (race) for her. It was a very exciting win.

“She has got a lovely attitude and is a beautiful filly. I was lucky I probably got on her at the right time, winning the Group 2 on her at Randwick and I won’t get off her until the day she dies. I’ll stick with her.”

Widdup suggested the Manikato Stakes is the likely next engagement for Savvy Hallie, potentially offering her a Group 1 breakthrough.

“Obviously the Manikato Stakes is there, plus there are good races here at home and we have got the Invitation and things like that,” Widdup said.

“But we will get her home, make sure she is right and go from there.”

As Savvy Hallie eyes the Manikato Stakes, punters can find competitive racing odds at Australian betting sites.

Chris Waller is contemplating whether to pit his mare Aeliana against stablemate Autumn Glow in the 7 Stakes at Randwick or send her to Melbourne for a Group 1 contest at Caulfield. The decision is anticipated later this week.

Aeliana is set to be entered for both the 7 Stakes (1600m) and the Underwood Stakes (1800m). Waller is leaning towards keeping her closer to home, pending the outcome of the barrier draw.

“We’re going to accept for the Underwood and the 7 Stakes, and then make a decision,” Waller stated.

“I’m happy to give her one more run at home to make sure everything is perfect and then probably join up in Melbourne for the Turnbull (Stakes).”

“If she was drawing an even gate in both places, she will probably stay in Sydney. If she draws better in Melbourne in the Underwood, she’ll go to the Underwood.”

The multiple Group 1 winner was scratched from the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday. Instead, she was given a 1000m solo workout between races at Rosehill.

With Zac Lloyd aboard, Aeliana completed the distance in 1:09.49, running her final 600m in 36.53s. Her overall time was nearly five seconds slower than Autumn Glow, who also worked over the same journey.

Waller was pleased with the performance from both mares, noting that Autumn Glow carried more condition and required a more solid gallop.

“She’s very forward, Aeliana. If she’s going to run over a mile, I still want to keep her sharp, so I didn’t want her to do too much. Autumn Glow does well between runs,” he commented.

Lindermann, the recent winner of the Chelmsford Stakes, will also be nominated for both Sydney and Melbourne races. Like Aeliana, the barrier draw is likely to be the deciding factor for his itinerary.

“Lindermann will be in a similar boat to Aeliana. He’ll be nominated for the Underwood and here,” Waller said.

“It would be exciting to run him in a Group One race, but the 7 Stakes is still worth a lot of money, and he’s a gelding.”

“He’s still building himself up. He had a soft mile last start, he’s ready for a strong mile, so it’s just weighing it up.”

The Randwick meeting is also scheduled to host The Shorts (1100m), a race that will feature several key contenders for The Everest. Among them is the Waller-trained Joliestar, making her debut appearance since finishing second at Royal Ascot in June. The final decision for Aeliana’s target race is heavily dependent on the barrier draw. Check out the latest racing betting markets for these upcoming events.