Selected first by the Philadelphia 76ers are part of their infamous “trust the process” era in 2017, Fultz never fulfilled the promise of his prospect pedigree, flaming out after two injury-marred seasons in Philly.
He was traded to the Orlando Magic at the 2019 trade deadline and went on to spend five seasons bouncing between a starting role and the bench.
Fultz moved to the Sacramento Kings last season, but he 28-year-old combo guard averaged only 8.8 minutes over 21 games. He holds career averages of 10.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 255 games spread over eight season.
The Upper Marlboro, Md., native has also shot just 28 per cent from three-point range for his career on an average of 1.2 attempts per game.
Advertisement
Fultz was claimed off waivers by the Raptors G League affiliate, Raptors 905, on March 6 and played five games with the team, averaging 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He made a game-winning shot against the Motor City Cruise on March 17.
Fultz could see minutes as a depth guard for the Raptors as they seek players who can break down a defence with their dribble, one of Fultz’s primary skills.
Phil Foden’s late appearance in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal felt more like a “charity” substitution, according to former England captain Wayne Rooney.
City were closing in on a 2-0 victory at Wembley Stadium on Sunday when Foden came on in the 90th minute, replacing Rayan Cherki. The 25-year-old has struggled for regular playing time, starting only four of City’s last 13 matches in all competitions and failing to score in his past 20 appearances.
Foden said after the game: “Football sometimes is not straightforward. There are ups and downs and sometimes you can’t be the best version of yourself. It’s just about how you pick yourself back up. I’m still keeping my head down and trying to train as well as I can every day. Hopefully I come back after the internationals a lot sharper and get more minutes.”
Advertisement
Despite his recent struggles, Foden has won 18 trophies since breaking into the first team and was called up to the expanded England squad for upcoming friendlies. However, there are questions over whether he will make the squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Speaking on his show, Rooney said: “I felt sad for him, but not because he was coming on in a cup final. To see Phil Foden come on at the end felt like a charity sub. He is a top player, but it feels strange he can’t get near the team. He will be pleased they won the cup, but he would have wanted to be out there making an impact. That will be tough for him.”
The 31-year-old Englishman had a disappointing bogey on 18 to finish runner-up at last week’s Players Championship, and he trailed the Valspar Championship’s third-round leader, Sungjae Im, by three shots heading into the final round.
But when Im faded with a final-round 74, Fitzpatrick kept the pedal to the metal, carding a bogey-free round of three-under 68 to claim victory by a single shot over David Lipsky.
Fitzpatrick sealed his win with a birdie on the 18th hole. With the pressure on, Fitzpatrick laced a 303-yard drive down the middle of the fairway, setting up a 116-yard approach, which he hit to 14 feet — then drained the putt.
Fitzpatrick’s driver — Titleist’s GT3 — has become a true weapon for him in recent years.
“By optimizing his move and leaning into the high speed tech of the Titleist GT3, he has climbed the distance charts, currently averaging over 300 yards off the tee,” wrote GOLF’s director of gear Johnny Wunder. “The counter-balanced Mitsubishi Orange shaft is the secret sauce here — it allows him to swing with aggressive intent while maintaining the face-angle control required to thread the needle through the Snake Pit.”
Titleist’s GT3 driver features five possible weight locations (H2, H1, N, T1, T2) that get the CG closer in line to the golfer’s strike location tendencies. The club is designed for players looking to have additional control over their ball and shot shape.
Advertisement
Check out Fitzpatrick’s Titleist GT3 driver in detail below. And to add a customized version of the driver to your bag, click on the link to order your own new club from Fairway Jockey.
Shop Titleist’s GT3 driver at Fairway Jockey
Advertisement
Titleist GT3 Custom Driver
GT3 – Speed-Tuned Distance & Control
GT3 offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization. With a speed-tuned design that allows you to precisely match performance to your most frequent contact location, you can make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.
For players with a relatively consistent impact location, GT3 offers a precisely adjustable CG Track to max out distance and directional control.
Seamless Thermoform Crown
A reimagined ultra-lightweight design, born from a new Proprietary Matrix Polymer. The tunable acoustic properties of this unique composite allow Titleist engineers to realize new material gains while maintaining our signature sound and feel. All wrapped in a clean look that inspires total confidence.
Split Mass Construction
A breakthrough in internal weighting unlocks longer drives and enhanced directional control in GT3. The Adjustable CG Track now sits closer to the face for more dynamic CG control, while additional discretionary mass is pushed to the back of the club to maintain optimal stability through impact.
Advanced Aerodynamics
GT3 features a new raised tail contour that represents a dramatic shift in driver aerodynamics. Previously impossible to execute due to design constraints, this advanced shaping results in a driver that swings faster while still providing optimal CG control.
As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her original interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.
India’s Anahat Singh will face off against Egypt’s Hana Moataz in the women’s final while in the men’s category Abhay Singh and Veer Chotrani booked their respective spots in the Indian Open squash, here on Saturday.
Anahat got the better of compatriot Tanvi 3-1 (11-6 9-11 11-8 11-2) to make it to the summit clash. After dictating the early exchanges, the Indian ace took the opening game following which Tanvi bounced back to level the contest.
However, despite Tanvi’s strong start in the third game, Anahat grew in confidence and control. Her consistent shot-making and movement around the court helped her to win the third as well as the fourth.
Advertisement
In the other women’s semifinal, Moataz defeated compatriot Nadien Elhammamy 3-1 (11-8 5-11 11-5 11-7) in an all-Egyptian contest.
After edging a closely fought opening game, Moataz lost the second before raising her intensity in the final two games to secure her spot in the final.
In the men’s event, Abhay overcame a strong challenge from Ameeshenraj Chandaran from Malaysia to win 3-1 (11-9 9-11 11-3 11-8).
Abhay was pushed hard by the unseeded Chandaran in a gripping encounter. The Malaysian matched the Indian’s shots during long rallies, producing powerful forehands and sharp returns.
Advertisement
Abhay began strongly, racing to a 9-4 lead in the opening game. Chandaran mounted a spirited comeback with five consecutive points to level the score, but the Indian held his nerve at the crucial moment to clinch the game 11-9.
In the second game, Chandaran was trailing 8-9 at one stage but the Malaysian surged ahead with three straight points to take the game 11-9 and level the match.
Abhay dominating proceedings to win the third game 11-3. The fourth saw another intense battle as Abhay fought back from 2-6 down to level at 7-7 before closing out the contest 11-8.
In the other semifinal, fourth seed Chotrani defeated another Malaysian, Sanjay Jeeva, also by a 3-1 margin (11-7 11-5 5-11 11-6), setting up an all-Indian showdown for the title.
Advertisement
The Indian recovered from a slightly nervy start to win the opening game 11-7 and continued his dominance to claim the second 11-5. Jeeva won the third game 11-4, but Chotrani bounced back to win the fourth 11-6 and seal the match in his favour.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has discussed Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford’s future after his man-of-the-match performance in the Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal
Alan Shearer has outlined why he thinks Newcastle United could potentially secure the signing of Manchester City star James Trafford in the coming months. The Magpies were reported to be pursuing Trafford last summer whilst the goalkeeper was at Burnley.
Trafford subsequently departed the Clarets but chose to join City instead, who triggered a buy-back provision in the goalkeeper’s deal to secure his services at the Etihad Stadium for £27million.
Advertisement
The City shot-stopper was the standout performer at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Trafford played a crucial role in City’s Carabao Cup final triumph over Arsenal.
Trafford produced a string of vital stops to preserve a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory against the Gunners, though questions persist regarding the goalkeeper’s long-term future.
City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, which has resulted in Trafford occupying the backup goalkeeper position this campaign, and Shearer has explained why a move to Newcastle might once again be feasible when the summer transfer window opens, reports Chronicle Live.
Advertisement
“He’s coming to Newcastle, lads,” Shearer said on the Rest is Football podcast.
When asked if Trafford could leave City this summer, Shearer added: “It wouldn’t surprise me. It was almost done and dusted last summer and then, for whatever reason, City came back in with a buy-back clause.
“I guess he thought that he was going there as a No.1 [goalkeeper], and clearly other things took over with Donnarumma [moving to City].
“I would like to think that Newcastle would be back in for him. He will definitely have options, but if he was that close to Newcastle last summer, I would see no reason for him to not be that close again.”
Trafford spoke honestly about his return to the City line-up after playing a pivotal role in their Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal, as well as the challenges he has faced due to his lack of regular appearances this season.
“Yeah, it means a lot to have his [Pep Guardiola’s] faith, and it’s a testament to how I believed in myself, and how I acted in training, when I’ve been brought in for club games,” Trafford told Sky Sports. “Every time that I play I just give it my best shot.
“No illusions, it hasn’t been easy at all. It’s been really tough at times, but I have a really good set of people around me.
Advertisement
“My teammates and my coaches have been brilliant. They have kept me going and given me individual goals. It’s down to them.”
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
Advertisement
And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Talking City podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on Monday as he seeks an additional season of eligibility.
Heinecke, who participated in last month’s NFL Scouting Combine after his waiver request and appeal were denied by the NCAA, is seeking an injunction before the NFL draft begins on April 23.
An emergency hearing for the case has been scheduled for April 16 in Oklahoma’s Cleveland County Court.
“We’re not giving up,” Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy said of Heinecke’s case earlier this month. “Owen is just a guy you want to fight for.”
Heinecke was ruled by the NCAA to be out of collegiate eligibility due to playing in three lacrosse games at Ohio State in 2021 before transferring to Oklahoma’s football program as a walk-on. He redshirted in 2022 before playing 39 games over the last three seasons.
Advertisement
He had just 11 total tackles from 2023-24 but broke out last season with 74 tackles (second on the team), 12 tackles for loss and three sacks, earning recognition on the All-SEC second team.
“OU fully supports Owen and his pursuit of a fair opportunity to continue playing the game he loves,” Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny said in a statement. “We’ll stand firmly beside him as he works to do just that.”
Heinecke joins a growing list of college football players suing the NCAA for extra eligibility this offseason to mixed results.
Advertisement
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted a preliminary injunction to play in 2026 by a Mississippi state court last month, while Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar had his injunction denied. The NCAA has appealed Chambliss’ case.
Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris is also suing the NCAA in an attempt to be granted a seventh year of eligibility.
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) lines up across the interior and reacts after the snap against the Las Vegas Raiders, Dec 26, 2020, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, working through contact in the trenches while anchoring the defensive front during a late-season AFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Former Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins remains a free agent and evidently wants back in the NFL after a year off. If so, the Minnesota Vikings should sign him. It’s as simple as that.
There are just too many angles for Wilkins to Minnesota to be merely a pipe dream.
Wilkins reportedly has a growing free-agent market, and there’s no reason the Vikings shouldn’t be at the front of the line.
Advertisement
Wilkins Could Solve the Vikings DT Hole
Get Wilkins to Minny.
Christian Wilkins celebrates after being selected 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins during the first round of the NFL Draft in downtown Nashville, Apr 25, 2019. The Clemson standout begins his professional journey as one of the top defensive tackle prospects, bringing energy and leadership to Miami’s defensive rebuild. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
26 Teams Allegedly Kicking the Tires on Wilkins
All signs point to a Wilkins return — sometime soon.
SBNation‘s Justis Mosqueda wrote Friday, “According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, 26 teams have reached out to former Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins’ camp in anticipation of his return to the NFL in 2026. Per agent David Mulugheta, by way of Schefter, Wilkins is still rehabbing a foot injury that he suffered in 2024.”
Advertisement
“Last July, the Raiders voided $32.5 million in guarantees on Wilkins’ deal, as he did not follow their medical advice following a Jones fracture injury. According to reports, the Raiders believed that Wilkins needed surgery, which he refused. As far as we know, Wilkins is still attempting to rehab this foot injury without surgery, and his camp has been unable to claw back the $32.5 million that he lost over this decision.”
In fact, it would be strange if 26 teams called Wilkins, and the Vikings were not among them.
The Brian Flores Connection
Flores’ tenure as Miami Dolphins head coach began in 2019, and that spring, the team drafted Wilkins as the very first draft pick of the Flores era. Flores didn’t simply inherit Wilkins; he helped mold him into a key player on Miami’s defensive line. This history is significant because, should the Vikings pursue Wilkins, Flores already possesses intimate knowledge of his capabilities, his fit within a defensive scheme, and how best to utilize him.
Advertisement
Furthermore, Wilkins and Andrew Van Ginkel — one of Flores’ trusted players, now in Minnesota — were Dolphins teammates. The existing relationship streamlines the assessment of Wilkins’ potential integration into the locker room.
For Vikings interim boss Rob Brzezinski, evaluating Wilkins to bolster the run defense is therefore straightforward. Flores offers firsthand insight; he knows the guy — better than most.
The Resume and the Price
The on-the-field connection between Wilkins and the Vikings is logical. Wilkins is consistently one of the league’s best run defenders, a strength the Vikings can put to use on Day One.
Advertisement
Moreover, Wilkins is currently available, and his next contract is projected to be significantly less than his previous one. His Pro Football Focus run defense grades since entering the league demonstrate his consistently high-level play:
Wilkins is 30 and remains an interior lineman capable of immediate impact.
What happened to Wilkins in Las Vegas? Well, an unexpected offseason development complicated everything. Following a dispute over the treatment of a foot injury, the Raiders released Wilkins, voiding his guarantees. This disagreement, compounded by a bizarre locker-room incident involving a teammate, quickly escalated, creating an irreparable rift.
Advertisement
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins warms up on the field before a road matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, Sep 15, 2024. Wilkins prepares for action as a key interior presence, bringing strength and disruption to the Raiders defensive front early in the season. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Wilkins then entered the free-agent market with diminished leverage compared to 2024, when Las Vegas offered him $110 million over four years. His next contract will likely focus on re-establishing himself in the league. Perhaps in the ballpark for $5 million.
For a squad like Minnesota, signing Wilkins is an obvious move: a proven player at a reduced cost who can immediately fill a critical role. That works for the Vikings, a team with a skimpy budget at the moment.
Out with Allen + Hargrave
Why would Minnesota need Wilkins in the first place? Pretty simple — the club cut ties with two starting defensive tackles a couple of weeks ago, saying goodbye to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, who spent the 2025 campaign in the Twin Cities, with disappointing outcomes.
The Vikings still have Jalen Redmond in the house for DT duties, but after him on the depth chart, the outlook gets thinner. So, fans expect interim general manager Rob Brzezinski to pick an interior defensive lineman early in next month’s draft — and/or sign Wilkins.
Advertisement
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins watches the action from the field during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium, Dec 24, 2023. Wilkins surveys the offense between plays, anchoring the interior while Miami battles a playoff-caliber opponent late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
If 26 teams are chatting with Wilkins about a prove-it contract, the Vikings, because of the Flores connection, have no reason not to be at the top of the list. Think of it this way: the team that just cut its two starting defensive tackles and the franchise that employs Flores, who brought Wilkins into the NFL, should be the number-one-with-a-bullet suitor for Wilkins’s services.
It just makes too much sense.
Wilkins is also a two-time National Champion from the Clemson days. He’ll turn 31 in December.
England winger Jadon Sancho might return to Borussia Dortmund, Zinedine Zidane agrees to take over as France manager and Roberto de Zerbi lines up the Tottenham job.
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has agreed to take over as manager of France after the World Cup. The 53-year-old, who scored twice as France won the 1998 World Cup final, will replace Didier Deschamps, 57. (ESPN), external
Manchester United have yet to make contact with any candidates to become their new permanent manager in the summer and the club’s hierarchy will not rush into a decision. (Sky Sports), external
Leeds and Japan midfielder Ao Tanaka, 27, is wanted by German clubs Schalke and Hannover. (Teamtalk), external
Advertisement
Manchester United are keen on signing left-back Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich this summer, with the Bundesliga club open to offers for the 25-year-old Canada international. (CFBayerninsider), external
French forward Antoine Griezmann, 35, is set to end his 10-season association with Atletico Madrid in the summer to join the MLS side Orlando City. (Times – subscription required), external
A Round 1 playoff preview perhaps. A measuring stick for two Eastern Conference titans. A civic referendum on hockey culture. Something grander than 60 minutes of entertainment as the frost evaporated off the Causeway’s flying Bobby Orr statue.
A couple of storied and good teams puffing their chests to see who’s better.
In 2024-25, you may recall, the Maple Leafs and Bruins were co-owners of the NHL’s longest active post-season streak at eight years.
Well, Boston ceded that title Toronto last March, and now the floundering Maple Leafs have spiked their own impressive playoff run, selling at the trade deadline and hoping for a Bruins-like rebound to relevance in 2026-27.
Advertisement
To that end, a top-five draft pick in 2026 would bless Leafs Nation with much-needed hope.
A prospect drafted between No. 6 and No. 10 overall that funnels into Boston’s system?
That’s a major yikes. And it would only further reflect poorly on GM Brad Treliving’s 2025 deadline deal for defenceman Brandon Carlo, which cost Toronto 21-year-old Fraser Minten and a 2026 first-round pick that is only protected through the top five.
Team Tank would prefer the Maple Leafs extend their losing skid Tuesday, when Treliving’s most criticized move will be on full display.
Advertisement
Whip-smart Minten has bulked up. He is in the throes of a breakout campaign, his first full one in the show. His 70 games, 16 goals, and 31 points are all career highs.
Minten’s plus-22 rating leads all Bruins forwards. And he’s now centring playoff-bound Boston’s top line. David Pastrnak is on the man’s wing.
Boston coach Marco Sturm has likened Minten to another two-way pivot, L.A.’s Quinton Byfield, in the way the centre thinks the game.
“There are a lot of things you can’t teach,” Sturm told reporters of Minten’s hockey IQ, which was also raved about in Toronto. “That’s why he’s ahead of some other guys. He already had it. Even the teaching part, he gets it right away. He just has it. He’s lucky enough to be born with it.”
Advertisement
The flip side of the Minten trade, Carlo, has heard the criticism and admitted to reporters in Toronto on Monday that the fan base’s angst over move has been “a little bit” tough on him.
“If you’re gonna be in the NHL environment, there’s gonna be a lot of things you need to tune out throughout your career,” Carlo said. “Just put it in the category with most of those things and continue forward.”
32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
Could the prospect-light Maple Leafs, who recently traded away depth centres Nicolas Roy and Scott Laughton, benefit from the service of the emerging Minten? No doubt.
To be fair, Carlo has battled a foot injury this season and has consistently professed his appreciation and desire to be a Leaf. He’s also under contract for a team-friendly $3.49-million cap hit next season, which makes him a valuable contributor if they get back in the mix and a valuable trade asset if they don’t.
Advertisement
And then there’s this nugget, which may surprise some: The Maple Leafs, at minus-29, have the worst goal differential in the Eastern Conference. Carlo (plus-9) is the only Leafs defenceman (minimum 12 games played) who has been on the ice for as many more goals for as goals against (36-36), despite starting only 45 per cent of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Carlo hasn’t hurt his new team.
The catch is that where the Maple Leafs find themselves now — in search of picks, young impact players and centre depth — Carlo’s best game can’t make up for all of that.
Carlo is the rare player who has seen both sides of the Toronto-Boston rivalry. He predicts a competitive affair Tuesday, standings be damned.
Advertisement
“You know it’s going to be physical,” Carlo said.
And, because of their link, you know both Carlo and Minten will be scrutinized in this one.
Stolarz rebounds from Nylander scare
Despite Saturday’s unplanned visit to an Ottawa hospital and Monday’s recall of third-stringer Dennis Hildeby on an emergency basis, Anthony Stolarz is expected to start one half of this week’s back-to-back. (Coach Craig Berube hasn’t declared whether that’ll be in Boston, site of Stolarz’s original neck injury this season, or Wednesday at home versus the New York Rangers.)
Advertisement
An errant William Nylander warm-up shot caught the goaltender in the throat, making it difficult for him to breathe or talk for 30 or 40 minutes.
Stolarz, who recovered from a nerve issue in his neck shortly before the Olympic break, went for imaging to make sure blood vessels weren’t damaged. He was cleared by the buzzer and traveled home with the club.
“I’m fine,” Stolarz told reporters in Toronto, after practising with some new neck protection. “It’s an occupational hazard. You get pucks coming at you anywhere from 70 to 100 miles an hour, they’re gonna catch you in a bad spot once in a while. Just kinda shock.”
Nylander checked in on Stolarz immediately after his mistake and followed up with text messages before leaving Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday.
Advertisement
“I have certain spots where I shoot it, so they know where I’m shooting it all the time,” says Nylander, who was aiming glove. “Except for maybe the last shot we do in the half-moon, maybe you try to score. But other than that, I’m always doing the same shot.
“I feel really bad for that.”
Accidents happen. No real harm done.
“He’s good. It’s a one-off,” Stolarz said, shaking off the incident with a smile.
Advertisement
During the broadcast, Sportsnet analyst Craig Simpson suggested the onus is on Nylander to control his aim. A couple goaltenders we spoke to, though, suggested that goalies must never let their neck be exposed during shooting drills.
Soccer players cover their most sensitive bits when building a wall to block free kicks.
Auston Matthews even gave Stolarz a bit of advice: “Next time, keep your chin tucked.”
One-Timers:Morgan Rielly missed Saturday’s game in Ottawa due to a lower-body injury but returned to practice Monday and was a full participant…. Oliver Ekman-Larsson left practice early because “something was bugging him,” according to Berube. The coach assures the durable defenceman will be fine to play Tuesday…. Joseph Woll says he never took so many pucks in the head as he did Saturday in Ottawa: three. “My poor mask was taking a beating,” he chuckled. “It broke. We fixed it. It broke again. Check my brain after that game. That’s the most I’ve gotten hit in the head for sure.”… The Maple Leafs mentors’ trip is going down in Boston.
Two All-Star Mile triumphs have established Tom Kitten firmly as a leading 1600m contender in Australia, providing him with this weekend’s prospect to demonstrate his 2000m credentials anew.
A product of Harry Angel, the one-time European sprinter, Tom Kitten ran placed in last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champions Stakes – taken by Via Sistina – over his prior two 2000m starts, and co-trainer Sam Freedman feels the distance increase beyond his All-Star Mile victory fits perfectly.
“He’s in good form and at 2000 metres he might be slightly more effective than the mile,” Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, said.
Advertisement
“He bounced out of the (last) run really well, so he’s going to be ready to go next week.
“Three weeks between runs suits and his fitness is good.”
The Australian Cup represents a shot at a third successive victory this season for Tom Kitten, after the Group 3 Heffernan Stakes (1400m) and his repeat All-Star Mile win at Flemington on March 7.
His record stands at eight wins from 31 races with eight additional placings, accumulating more than $7.5 million for Godolphin as a homebred.
Advertisement
Tom Kitten is nominated alongside 15 others for the Australian Cup, with Pride Of Jenni, Birdman and reigning victor Light Infantry Man among the key opponents.
Discover premier betting sites for competitive Australian Cup odds.
Samir Zeljkovic, Bede Osuji and Dani Ramirez struck once each in the first half as Punjab FC defeated Kerala Blasters FC 3-1 for a third consecutive triumph in their Indian Super League here on Saturday.
Punjab FC climbed to fifth place in the table with eight points from five matches, while Kerala Blasters remained 13th with just one point from six outings.
Zeljkovic was adjudged Player of the Match for his performance.
Kerala Blasters head coach David Catala named an unchanged starting XI for the first time this season, while his opposite number Panagiotis Dilmperis made three changes, two of them enforced.
Advertisement
Pramveer Singh came into defence in place of Pablo Renan Santos, Osuji started up front for the suspended Nsungusi Effiong, and Muhammad Suhail returned in place of Leon Augustine.
Punjab FC started with high intensity and kept their opposition under sustained pressure, which paid off with an early breakthrough.
Khaiminthang Lhungdim spotted Zeljkovic and lofted a pass into space, allowing the Bosnian midfielder to chest the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper before calmly slotting it into an empty net for his first goal of the season.
Advertisement
The home side were repeatedly guilty of conceding possession in midfield, and Punjab capitalised again in the 18th minute.
Hormipam Ruivah’s pass was intercepted by Zeljkovic and the midfielder played a simple through ball to Osuji. The Nigerian striker controlled it well before firing a left-footed shot past the outstretched arms of Arsh Shaikh to double the lead.
The Shers once again capitalised on sloppy play in the Blasters’ midfield.
Zeljkovic intercepted the pass and quickly played it forward to Manglenthang Kipgen. The youngster then unleashed a curling left-footed effort from outside the box that beat the backtracking goalkeeper but rattled the crossbar and bounced back into play.
Advertisement
Dani Ramirez reacted quickest inside the box, pouncing on the rebound and heading the ball into an empty net before the defenders could recover, as Punjab carried a commanding three-goal lead into the second half.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Kerala Blasters continuing to concede possession in dangerous areas, though this time Zeljkovic’s effort was kept out by the goalkeeper.
Kerala Blasters finally pulled one back just after the hour mark through Fallou Ndiaye.
Naocha Singh tested Arshdeep Singh with a long-range effort following a cleared corner, and after the goalkeeper made the save, Jai Quitongo recycled the ball into the box.
Advertisement
Ndiaye reacted sharply, attacking the delivery and powering a header past the goalkeeper.
The goal injected fresh momentum into the home side, evident in their increased attacking intent, while Punjab were content to sit deep and play on the counter.
However, clear-cut chances remained scarce for the Blasters, as the Shers held firm to shut down their late surge.
Kerala’s Marlon Roos-Trujillo was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time, reducing them to ten men.
;)
You must be logged in to post a comment Login