Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott registered their first win of the new 2026 racing season when Steel Strike triumphed in the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The quick-starting galloper Felix Majestic, appreciating the firmer track conditions, set a demanding pace, establishing a significant four-length lead over his chasers, with Steel Strike in pursuit.

Leading jockey Tim Clark remained composed on Steel Strike, but it took the entirety of the Rosehill straight to reel in the brave Felix Majestic in a hard-fought finish.

“It was a great set-up for him today,” Bott shared. “Tim wanted to be aggressive early and put himself into the picture.”

“We thought it would be a truly run race and I think he enjoyed having something to chase. He was usually the one creating the pace last preparation and that left him vulnerable late but it all fell into place for him today.”

Steel Strike ($8), campaigned by Scott Darby’s syndication company Darby Racing, finally collared the tenacious Felix Majestic ($12) just before the finishing post, securing victory by a half neck. Silvanito ($11) claimed third place, a further half length behind.

The $2.70 favourite, Tarzing, was under pressure a considerable distance from home and could only manage sixth position.

Clark celebrated his birthday with a winning double, having earlier saluted the judge on Funshow, sharing riding honours with Zac Lloyd.

Steel Strike, a five-year-old son of Exceedance, was having his 10th career start and recorded his second career win.

“I think this horse will be a very good buy for Darby Racing,” Bott stated. “The plan is to just take Steel Strike through his grades and potentially get him out to 1600m.”

Waterhouse and Bott concluded the 2025/26 season with 132 wins across all tracks, including 69 metropolitan victories, placing them second on the Sydney premiership ladder behind Chris Waller, who secured 183 wins and earned nearly $18 million in prize money.

Their standout performer from the previous season was Sir Delius, a triple Group 1 winner who claimed the Underwood Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Sir Delius is currently being prepared for a spring campaign and impressed Bott with a strong second in his Randwick barrier trial on Friday, behind Oh Diamond Lil, with Autumn Glow finishing third. Get the best Australian betting sites for all the upcoming racing action.

Lindsay Park’s shrewd decision to acquire former New Zealand galloper Touchdown continues to reap benefits, with the progressive five-year-old gelding showcasing another commanding performance at Flemington.

The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained gelding has now recorded five wins and three placings from a mere nine career starts, achieving a decisive victory in the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m).

Following a noteworthy second over 1400 metres at Sandown upon his return, Touchdown advanced further in his second-up run.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes shared his thoughts: “Although he didn’t win at Sandown, it was still a great run. We had to go back from the draw on a heavy track first-up and he was super through the line. He really came through it well. This time he had to do a bit more work than we thought but it was an easy watch in the end and he was strong through the line and there were nice spacings back to second and third.”

Sent off as the $1.95 favourite, Touchdown triumphed over Danny O’Brien’s Fahrr Flung ($12) by two lengths, with Kaleo ($5.50) a further 2¼ lengths back in third.

Hayes is confident that the lightly raced import still has considerable untapped potential as the stable gradually escalates his race starts.

“I think there is a lot more to come and he is an exciting horse going forward,” Hayes stated. “It is always good when they run well at this place and there are a lot of nice races to win. We’re not going to get too carried away with him yet and we’ll go through the grades with him but he may end up in a nice race in the spring.”

The victory also represented jockey Blake Shinn’s second winner of the day on his comeback meeting after a substantial spell due to injury.

Shinn believes Touchdown possesses the qualities to mature into an even better horse as he is tested over greater distances.

“He’s a raw talent, I feel and he’s not the furnished product,” Shinn commented. “I love that he’s got a great length of stride and I think he’ll get better as he gets further.”

Check out the racing odds for the next big event.

The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is set to bring together the world’s top men’s and women’s hockey teams for a 15-day tournament, with Belgium and the Netherlands co-hosting the prestigious event from August 15 to 30.

Featuring 32 teams, 16 in each competition, the men’s and women’s World Cups will be staged simultaneously across two iconic venues: the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen and the newly built Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre.

This edition also introduces a revamped competition format that replaces the traditional quarter-finals with a second group stage, ensuring that every team plays at least five matches before the knockout rounds.

India will head into the tournament with high expectations after naming full-strength squads for both the men’s and women’s competitions. Harmanpreet Singh’s men’s side will open its campaign against Wales on August 15 in Pool D before taking on England and arch-rival Pakistan, while the Salima Tete-led women’s team will begin its challenge against China on August 16, followed by matches against South Africa and England.

The Indian squads will have their task cut out for them ahead of the marquee event. While the men’s team will be looking to win its first World Cup medal since its gold-medal triumph in 1975, the Indian women’s team will be hoping to secure its first-ever World Cup medal, bettering its tournament-best fourth-place finish in 1974.

Hockey World Cup 2026: Full list of qualified teams

Men’s pools 

Pool A

• 
  Netherlands
• 
  Argentina
• 
  New Zealand
• 
  Japan

Pool B

• 
  Belgium
• 
  Germany
• 
  France
• 
  Malaysia

Pool C

• 
  Australia
• 
  Spain
• 
  Ireland
• 
  South Africa

Pool D

• 
  India
• 
  England
• 
  Pakistan
• 
  Wales

Women’s pools 

Pool A

• 
  Netherlands
• 
  Australia
• 
  Chile
• 
  Japan

Pool B

• 
  Argentina
• 
  Germany
• 
  United States
• 
  Scotland

Pool C

• 
  Belgium
• 
  Spain
• 
  New Zealand
• 
  Ireland

Pool D

• 
  India
• 
  China
• 
  England
• 
  South Africa

Hockey World Cup 2026: Venues

• 
  Wagener Hockey Stadium (Amstelveen, Netherlands)
• 
  Belfius Hockey Arena (Wavre, Belgium)

Hockey World Cup 2026: Full schedule

Men’s pool

Women’s pool

Hockey World Cup 2026: Format

The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 will feature a new competition format for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, with 16 teams competing in each event. The tournament will be played in three stages, with every team playing at least five matches before the knockout rounds.

In the first stage, the 16 teams are divided into four pools (A, B, C and D) of four teams each. Every team plays the other three teams in its pool once. At the end of the group stage, the top two teams from each pool advance to the second stage, while the remaining teams are eliminated from the title race.

The second stage replaces the traditional quarter-finals. The eight qualified teams are divided into two new groups. Pool E consists of the top two teams from Pools A and D, while Pool F comprises the top two teams from Pools B and C. Teams do not replay the opponent that qualified alongside them from their original pool. Instead, the result from that match is carried forward, and each team plays two new matches against the qualifiers from the paired pools. This means that every team in contention for the title plays a total of five matches before the semi-finals.

Hockey World Cup 2026: India squads

India’s men’s squad for the Hockey World Cup 2026:

Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera

Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach

Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad

Forwards: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek

India’s women’s squad for the Hockey World Cup 2026:

Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam

Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas

Midfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (captain), Neha, Deepika Soreng

Forwards: Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung

Hockey World Cup 2026: Live-streaming and telecast details

When will the Hockey World Cup 2026 begin?

The Hockey World Cup 2026 will begin on Saturday, August 15, for both the men’s and women’s competitions.

When will India start their campaign in the Hockey World Cup 2026?

India’s men’s team will kick off its campaign against Wales on August 15, while the women’s team will begin its Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign against China on August 16.

When will the finals of the Hockey World Cup 2026 be played?

The final of the women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 will take place on August 29, while the men’s final will be played on August 30.

What are the venues for the Hockey World Cup 2026?

The Wagener Hockey Stadium (Amstelveen, Netherlands) and the Belfius Hockey Arena (Wavre, Belgium) will host all the matches of the men’s and women’s Hockey World Cups 2026.

Where can viewers watch the live telecast of Hockey World Cup 2026 matches in India?

The live telecast of all the Hockey World Cup 2026 matches will be available on the Star Sports Network in India.

Where can viewers watch the live streaming of Hockey World Cup 2026 matches in India?

The live streaming of all Hockey World Cup 2026 matches will be available on the JioHotstar app and website in India.

Aquib Nabi and team of Jammu and Kashmir Ranji cricket celebrate after taking wicket of Smaran Ravichandran wicket of Karnataka at the Ranji Trophy finals at Rajnagar KSCA cricket stadium at Hubali on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: There was a time when Auqib Nabi didn’t own a pair of bowling spikes.For his first U-19 trial in Jammu & Kashmir, the fast bowler from Baramulla borrowed a pair from a friend. When he eventually earned selection, fate threw up another twist. The friend who had lent him the spikes didn’t make the squad. Auqib borrowed another pair from him and played his entire first U-19 tournament in borrowed shoes.Today, Auqib is making a name for himself with a skill that many fast bowlers spend years trying to master: the ability to swing the ball both ways. He has now earned his maiden India call-up, with the 29-year-old seamer from Jammu & Kashmir replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah in India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.Nabi has picked up 104 wickets over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, virtually breaking the selection door down with his performances. He was also part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka recently, where he claimed six wickets in two First Class matches.

Aquib Nabi and team of Jammu and Kashmir Ranji cricket celebrate after taking wicket of K L Rahul wicket of Karnataka at the Ranji Trophy finals at Rajnagar KSCA cricket stadium at Hubali on Thursday. (Syed Asif)

Yet, the road to the Indian dressing room wasn’t built in fancy academies or elite fast-bowling programmes. It was shaped by a long journey, borrowed equipment and an obsession with learning.“My parents are government school teachers. Initially, they wanted me to focus on studies, which was natural. Cricket wasn’t something we had planned. A friend told me about the Under-19 trials. Until then, I didn’t even know they were happening,” Auqib had told reporters after picking up a five-wicket haul on the opening day of the Delhi vs Jammu & Kashmir Ranji Trophy match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in November 2025.Like countless youngsters in Kashmir, his cricketing education began with tennis-ball matches. The transition to leather-ball cricket, however, brought a different challenge.

“The most basic thing a fast bowler needs is a turf wicket,” he had said. “Baramulla had turf, but you couldn’t bowl there wearing spikes. So I had to travel to Srinagar to practice.”The one-and-a-half-hour journey from Baramulla to Srinagar became part of his routine. Hours on the road simply to bowl a few overs on a proper surface. For many aspiring cricketers, inadequate facilities become a convenient excuse. Auqib never allowed himself that luxury.“If you want to play for India, these things cannot become excuses. If you want it badly enough, you have to do it.”That philosophy continues to define him.The philosophy kept motivating him day in and day out, but it was his obsession with learning that made him the bowler he is today.“When he first joined the J&K team for the Buchi Babu Trophy in Salem in 2023, he could only bowl the outswinger. But he wanted to bowl both ways. So I started working on his inswing,” P. Krishnakumar, Jammu & Kashmir’s bowling coach, told TimesofIndia.com.“He has a great wrist position, which is one of his biggest strengths,” he said.

There were a few biomechanical issues as well. I addressed them and rectified them. From the second year, the results started coming. He learnt how to use the ball, how to bowl in the first, second and third sessions. He started identifying batters’ weaknesses. He worked on his preparation. Last season he came all guns blazing and we won the Ranji Trophy,

P Krishnakumar | J&K bowling coach

There were no shortcuts, and Nabi knew it. He started working on his inswing with Krishnakumar in the nets, and the results began to show in the 2024-25 season.“There were a few biomechanical issues as well. I addressed them and rectified them. From the second year, the results started coming. He learnt how to use the ball, how to bowl in the first, second and third sessions. He started identifying batters’ weaknesses. He worked on his preparation. Last season he came all guns blazing and we won the Ranji Trophy,” he said.

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Aquib Nabi, Prince Yadav among seven net bowlers for one-off Test against Afghanistan

The inswing eventually became his biggest weapon. Later, he added the scrambled seam delivery to his arsenal, making himself a far more complete bowler than the one Krishnakumar first saw in Salem.Interestingly, Auqib says the biggest transformation wasn’t technical.“I have changed my mindset more than anything else. Earlier, I used to think only about taking wickets. Now I just focus on bowling in good areas. Whether the ball swings in or away, my job is to keep hitting the right length,” he said.

I’d like to open an academy. There’s absolutely nothing here. When I started playing, I had to go to Bengaluru for training and play lower-division matches there. I want to find and train more Auqib Nabis from Baramulla

Aquib Nabi

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That change has also altered how he views difficult bowling conditions. Flat Indian pitches often test the patience of fast bowlers. Rather than searching for magic deliveries, Auqib has learned to trust the basics.“Whether it’s the new ball or the old ball, your basics have to stay strong. You have to keep bowling in good areas.”His domestic performances did not go unnoticed. He earned an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract worth Rs 8.40 crore with the Delhi Capitals. However, his first IPL season did not go according to plan as he failed to take a single wicket in five matches.

Aquib Nabi has earned his maiden India call-up for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka (BCCI)

But he already knows how he wants to use the money he earned from the IPL. He plans to build an academy in Baramulla.“I’d like to open an academy,” Nabi had earlier told TimesofIndia.com. “There’s absolutely nothing here. When I started playing, I had to go to Bengaluru for training and play lower-division matches there. I want to find and train more Auqib Nabis from Baramulla.”Now, with an India call-up, Nabi has added another feather to his cap.Borrowed spikes taught him gratitude. Long journeys taught him perseverance. His obsession with learning the inswing taught him that improvement rarely comes overnight. Together, they have shaped a fast bowler who believes the path to bigger dreams isn’t built on excuses or shortcuts, but on showing up every day and bowling one good ball after another.