Chris Waller, the trainer, was responding to media requests after Joliestar’s narrow defeat in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) when he was informed that His Majesty, King Charles III, desired his presence.

As Almeraq’s trainer, jockey, and owner received their trophies for the sprinter’s unexpected victory, Waller, his wife Stephanie, and their children Tyler and Nikita, were introduced to the King and Queen. Even in defeat, Waller was a figure of interest.

“Aussie Tom” Marquand guides Almeraq to victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, saluting at $26 fixed odds in a thrilling finish! 💰👏

A huge effort from Joliestar as well, finishing with a gallant third-place finish! 🇦🇺👏 pic.twitter.com/SxlYfmWPSH

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 20, 2026

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Joliestar had come extremely close to a memorable Royal Ascot win, yet Waller presented himself with the composure of a winner.

“My only fear was to make sure she brought her Australian form to Royal Ascot – and she really did, she stood up today,” Waller remarked.

“We didn’t win today but she ran very bravely. Huge accolades to the winner, it was a tough finish and she came off third best.

“But a top three finish is better than a pass mark, it is a fantastic result.”

It was English trainer William Haggas who once again thwarted Australian ambitions, as his stable’s second choice, Almeraq, a 25/1 outsider according to leading Aussie betting sites, overtook Joliestar in the final strides.

Joliestar, the Chris Waller-trained mare and 15/8 favourite, took the lead around the 400m mark and held off challengers until Almeraq, under the guidance of “Aussie” Tom Marquand, mounted a late run to secure victory by a nose.

The finish was entirely international, with the top four finishers separated by less than half a length. Japan’s Satono Reve (5/2) narrowly captured second place, Joliestar was a short head behind in third, and France’s Stolen Kiss (33/1) was another head back in fourth.

Overpass, the Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter, who had performed creditably for third in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, was unable to replicate that performance on Saturday. After leading until approximately 400 metres out, he faded to finish 13th, beaten by more than six lengths.

Waller and jockey James McDonald came close to another famous Royal Ascot triumph, but Joliestar’s narrow defeat means no mare has won the Jubilee Stakes this century, with the exception of Australia’s iconic Black Caviar in 2012.

“I think she has gained more admirers in defeat,” Waller added.

“Honestly, it is a huge relief to come all this way and have her perform at her best.

“She fought out a great finish which was typical of the week. We have seen some great finishes and unfortunately that was one of them and we have just missed out.

“The cover that we expected during the race didn’t quite eventuate and left us a little bit exposed.

“But James has done a fantastic job, he got her to bounce, got her to travel, got her to quicken.

“The winner has come off our backs but she was very brave. We did ourselves proud, we almost got it.”

McDonald, who has been widely praised by the British media for his exceptional riding at Royal Ascot this week, offered no excuses for the mare’s defeat.

“Joliestar ran superbly, I am so proud of her,” McDonald stated. “I do not really think anything could have gone better as it really unfolded well for us.”

Cambridge Stud’s Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, who own Joliestar, were processing their mare’s narrow loss when they were also invited to meet the King and Queen.

“She has tried her best and just wasn’t quite good enough on the day,” Sir Brendan Lindsay commented.

“I came here full of hope and we have left here pretty happy. James said she slipped going down the hill and that might have been the difference because on the line she was as strong as anything.

“We would have liked to have won but we can’t be disappointed with her third.

“She tried her best and I know everyone in New Zealand and Australia are just as proud of her as we are.

“We just had a life’s experience, Jo and I just met the King and Queen. That was a real treat, a real honour. Life is not too bad.”

Haggas has achieved considerable success at Royal Ascot this week, securing four victories, with Almeraq’s Group 1 triumph being his most notable achievement.

The esteemed English trainer once again served as a spoiler, a role he has frequently adopted in Sydney in recent years.

Haggas prepared Addeybb to defeat Verry Elleegant in consecutive Queen Elizabeth Stakes races in 2020 and 2021. Two years later, Haggas returned with Dubai Honour to win the Queen Elizabeth, ending Anamoe’s winning streak.

Verry Elleegant was the reigning Australian Horse of the Year when beaten by Addeybb in 2021, and Anamoe secured the coveted title after his loss to Dubai Honour.

Lake Forest, a name familiar to Australian racing followers, achieved an upset victory in the Golden Eagle two years ago. He finished a close fifth to stablemate Almeraq in the Jubilee Stakes.

Haggas informed Racing And Sports that Almeraq is unlikely to be a target for the $20 million The Everest at Royal Randwick on October 17.

“I doubt that would be a target for this horse. You never say never but there are some good sprints here at home we can look at,” Haggas said of Almeraq.

Haggas revealed that Almeraq’s racing career has been marked by a severe fall the sprinter sustained in a race at York last year, resulting in jockey Jim Crowley sustaining serious injuries.

Almeraq only resumed racing with a narrow victory in the Listed Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury last month, but he displayed dominant form at Royal Ascot.

“As you know, Almeraq had a fall at York last year and poor Jim [Crowley] got injured,” Haggas recounted.

“Almeraq was pretty shook up after York. It is quite hard to fall in a race like that at speed, and for a young horse going at speed it was difficult, but we gave him a lot of time. Now, it is onwards and upwards.”

In the background, Waller continued his media interviews. His consistent message was that Joliestar had been brave, he was proud of her effort, and the Royal Ascot experience was highly memorable.

Waller was then invited to Royal Ascot’s distinguished winner’s room for a celebratory drink. Despite the defeat, Waller was a highly sought-after figure.

Given the thrilling nature of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, the racing odds for future Group 1 contests will be closely watched by many.

  Netherlands close to qualification
 

The Dutch are now in the strongest position in the group after their emphatic 5-1 victory over Sweden.

With four points already secured, Ronald Koeman’s side need only avoid defeat against Tunisia in their final group match to guarantee automatic qualification.

A victory over Tunisia would almost certainly secure top spot in Group F regardless of results elsewhere.

Sweden still control their destiny

Despite suffering a heavy defeat against the Netherlands, Sweden remain firmly in the qualification race.

The Scandinavians have three points from two matches and know that victory against Japan in their final fixture would take them to six points and guarantee progression to the Round of 32.

Even a draw could potentially be enough depending on results elsewhere and the ranking of third-placed teams.

However, the 5-1 defeat has damaged Sweden’s goal difference, which could become important later.

Japan’s opportunity arrives

Japan have played only one match so far and remain in a promising position despite drawing with the Netherlands.

The Samurai Blue face Tunisia before their final showdown against Sweden.

If Japan defeat Tunisia, they would move to four points and place themselves in an excellent position to qualify.

Two positive results from their remaining matches could even see them challenge for top spot in the group.

Tunisia face a must-win situation

Tunisia’s heavy opening defeat to Sweden has left them with little margin for error.

The North Africans must first defeat Japan to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Failure to win would leave them needing a miracle on the final matchday and potentially relying on third-place calculations.

A victory over Japan, however, would completely reopen the group and set up a dramatic final round.

Why tiebreakers could be crucial

One of the biggest changes at the 2026 World Cup is that FIFA now prioritises head-to-head results before overall goal difference.

If teams finish level on points, the order of tiebreakers is:

Step 1: Head-to-head criteria 

Points earned in matches between tied teams

Goal difference in those matches

Goals scored in those matches

Step 2: Overall group performance 

Goal difference

Goals scored

Fair-play record

Step 3 

FIFA World Ranking

This means direct encounters such as Japan vs Sweden could effectively become knockout matches, with the head-to-head result carrying greater weight than overall goal difference.

Group F outlook

The Netherlands have placed one foot in the Round of 32 after their dominant display against Sweden, but the battle for the remaining places is far from settled.

Japan still have the advantage of a game in hand, Sweden know a win likely sends them through, and Tunisia retain an outside chance of mounting a comeback.

A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces are hosting the Golden State Valkyries for their third meeting of the season on Sunday afternoon. The game is set for 4 p.m. ET and will be available on CBS and Paramount+.

The Aces have an 11-4 overall record and have won seven out of their last eight games. They suffered a shocking 96-66 loss to Dallas on Monday, but they bounced back two days later with an 86-76 win against Phoenix. That game showcased the Aces’ defensive potential as they combined for 18 steals, and it also earned them a ticket to the Commissioner’s Cup Championship against the New York Liberty on June 30.

Golden State is 10-6 overall and had four consecutive victories until an 81-75 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Friday. Losing is never ideal, but it was still an impressive showing against the top team in the league. Cecilia Zandalasini led that effort with a career-high 23 points.

Where to watch Golden State Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces

Date: Sunday, June 21  Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena — Las Vegas
TV:  CBS | Live stream: Paramount+
Odds (via FanDuel): Aces -4.5, O/U: 167.5

Last meeting

The Valkyries are a newer franchise, so these teams have only faced each other six times. Las Vegas holds a 5-1 record in their all-time series, with their very first meeting in 2025 being the only win for Golden State.

The Aces won their first two encounters this season, with the most recent one being an 84-79 win in Las Vegas on June 6. A’ja Wilson led the way with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Jackie Young was also a major contributor with 27 points. Meanwhile, Gabby Williams led the Valkyries’ offense with 27 points.

A’ja Wilson campaigning for fifth MVP

Wilson already has a WNBA-record four MVP awards and she is the top candidates to win it this year. She is leading the league in scoring with 26.1 points per contest while shooting an efficient 52.6% from the field. She also has a league-best 2.2 blocks per game and is in the top five with 9.1 rebounds. 

Per usual, she was a key part of the Aces’ 86-76 win over the Mercury earlier this week with 33 points on 55% shooting, along with 10 rebounds, five steals, three assists and two blocks. That marked her fourth 30-point outing and eighth double-double of 2026. Unsurprisingly, she also leads all players in initial 2026 WNBA All-Star fan voting.

Kiah Stokes playing against her old team

This is Stokes’ first year with the Valkyries after spending four seasons with the Aces and winning three titles with them. She is now the starting center for Golden State and is leading the team with 1.6 blocks per contest while also contributing 5.1 rebounds per game. Earlier this season, Stokes talked about how tough it was to face her old team, especially going against Wilson.

“I’m not gonna lie, I don’t like being on the other end of it,” Stokes told The Mirror after their first matchup. “But she is a great player. It’s hard to stop her. I think personally I could have done a lot of things differently and better but it was kind of emotional, just like, former team, seeing all my old teammates, all of the coaches. So it was just a lot going on.”

Japan marked the 1,000th game in the history of the World Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia on Saturday to close in on a place in the last 32.

Ayase Ueda scored twice while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito were also on target as the Asian giants joined the Netherlands on four points at the top of Group F.

Tunisia, who were thumped 5-1 by Sweden in their first game of the tournament, can no longer hope for a place in the knockout rounds.

The Blue Samurai, who held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in their Group F opener, were always in control against Tunisia at the Monterrey Stadium.

The result marked a losing start for new Tunisia manager Herve Renard, who was hastily appointed to take over the World Cup campaign after predecessor Sabri Lamouchi was sacked in the wake of the Sweden drubbing.

Read moreWorld Cup debutants Curaçao clinch historic first point after holding Ecuador to draw

But Renard’s team never looked like threatening a technically superior Japanese side that were quickly into their trademark, smooth passing game.

Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after just four minutes, finishing from close range after deft interplay from Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura.

The Japanese almost scored again moments later, with only a desperate goalline clearance from Dylan Bronn denying the Asian giants a second goal.

Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was also working overtime, and had to claw away a shot that just went agonisingly short of crossing the goalline.

Japan though finally added to their tally in the 31st minute, with striker Ueda taking advantage of some hesitant Tunisian defending to surge forward and thunder a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

The rout continued in the second half, with Junya Ito latching onto a brilliant through ball to calmly finish on 69 minutes before Ueda scored again with a looping header in the 83rd minute.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

When EtoroAbasi Bassey walked onto the court for the women’s singles final of the 2026 CBN National Open Tennis Championship in Abuja on Saturday, she knew she was one victory away from the biggest title of her career.

A few hours later, the Akwa Ibom teenager had achieved that dream.

Etoro produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Success Ogunjobi 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 and claim her maiden CBN National Open Tennis Championship title at the Tennis Centre of the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

The victory crowned a memorable tournament for the talented youngster, who has continued to establish herself as one of Nigeria’s most promising tennis players.

The journey to the title was far from easy.

Before reaching the final, Etoro produced one of the standout performances of the championship when she defeated Plateau State’s Suwa Nenrot, the Niger Delta Games gold medallist, 6-1, 6-0 in the quarter-finals.

She then survived a tough semi-final battle against Bright Emmanuel, winning 6-0, 1-6, 6-4 to secure her place in the final.

Awaiting her was Success Ogunjobi, who had earlier eliminated top seed Mohammed Khadijat to set up a highly anticipated title clash.

The final began in favour of Ogunjobi, who edged the first set 6-4 and looked on course for victory.

However, Etoro had other ideas.

Showing great determination and composure, she completely turned the match around in the second set, dominating her opponent and winning 6-0.

With confidence flowing and momentum firmly on her side, the Akwa Ibom star continued to dictate play in the deciding set. She maintained her intensity and eventually sealed a 6-3 victory to lift the trophy.

The triumph adds another major achievement to an impressive season for the young player.

Earlier this year, Etoro enjoyed success at the Niger Delta Games in Edo State, where she won gold in the doubles event and silver in the singles competition.

Her latest accomplishment was warmly celebrated in Akwa Ibom.

Reacting to the victory, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, described the achievement as richly deserved and praised the progress the player has made in recent years.

Bassey also credited Governor Umo Eno’s investment in sports infrastructure and athlete development for helping young talents reach their potential.

“Today in Akwa Ibom, courtesy of Governor Umo Eno, we have state-of-the-art sports equipment that our athletes can train with, which is at par with what is obtainable anywhere in the world. This gives our athletes a comparative advantage over their counterparts elsewhere,” he said.

The commissioner expressed confidence that Etoro could achieve even greater success in the future.

“As you may have noticed, she started off by dominating at the state level, then became a regional champion, and now a national champion. I cannot wait to support her to become an African and world champion sooner rather than later,” Bassey added.

For Etoro Bassey, Saturday’s victory was more than just a title win. It was another significant step in a journey that continues to gather momentum and one that many believe could lead to even greater achievements on the African and world tennis stage.

The CBN National Open Championship, which began on June 12, ended with a colourful closing ceremony featuring the presentation of medals and trophies to the winners.

Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in West Ham United forward Crysencio Summerville, according to footmercato.

They join Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Arsenal in the race for the Netherlands international.

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West Ham are open to listening to offers for Summerville as they have to raise funds following their relegation to the Championship. They value him at €50 million.

Why Villa could be the best move for Summerville

Summerville impressed for West Ham last term, scoring seven goals and providing five assists across all competitions.

He has carried that form onto the international stage, scoring two goals in two games for the Netherlands at the World Cup.

The 24-year-old should prioritise a move to Villa as he stands a better chance of getting regular playing time there than at Arsenal, United or PSG.

While he would also be expected to play regularly at Spurs, they will not feature in next season’s Champions League and have struggled in the past two seasons.

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Villa risk looking lightweight in attack without reinforcements this summer. Jadon Sancho will leave after the expiration of his loan deal, while Donyell Malen, Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers have been linked with moves away.

Summerville would give Unai Emery’s side directness, explosive pace, and close control, making him a genuine threat against both low-block and attack-minded teams.

His ability to play anywhere across the frontline would also also allow Emery to rotate and change tactics during games.

Villa are also exploring a move for PSG youngster Ibrahim Mbaye, but his lack of experience makes him a risky signing.

The West Midlands side have also been linked with Newcastle United forward Harvey Barnes, but the Magpies would demand a significant fee for him.

Stats from sofa score.com

US fans react after the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The early results are in: This U.S men’s national team is for real in this World Cup.

With a quick and creative offensive attack producing goals in front of stadium-shaking home crowds, the Americans have already won their group and booked their place in the knockout round. A final group stage match against Turkey in Los Angeles awaits before the pressure ramps up again.

The question now is just how far can they go? The optimism and expectations of a deep run in the tournament are rising quickly.

READ: World Cup: US reaches KO round with 2-0 win over Australia

The American players seem eager to embrace what might have seemed inconceivable for a big nation with a relatively shallow pedigree in international soccer.

“I don’t think it’s ridiculous to say that we want to win it,” U.S. defender Chris Richards said after Friday’s 2-0 win over Australia. “We want to lift a trophy by the end of this.”

Few would have predicted this kind of quick success, said striker Folarin Balogun, who scored twice in the opener against Paraguay.

“You know, (if) someone said before the tournament ‘Two games and you’re through to the knockouts,’ I think we all would have took it,” Balogun said. “We’re delighted.”

Argentine coach leads the American resurgence

The first two matches saw the U.S. attack Paraguay and Australia with an energy, skill and creativity on offense rarely seen by the Americans in the World Cup.

READ: World Cup 2026: How are the favorites shaping up?

The U.S. has won consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since 1930. And the six goals in the first two matches are one short of the team record for a World Cup.

The architect is coach Mauricio Pochettino, an Argentine who was best known for his European club stints with Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-German. He had never coached a national team until he was hired by the U.S. in 2024 with an eye on this year’s World Cup.

As a co-host, the U.S. was an automatic qualifier for the tournament, allowing Pochettino more time to experiment and craft the lineup he wanted. He was blunt earlier this month when he said the U.S. does not have any players that rank among the top 100 in the world.

But the lineup he has put on the field the first two matches has been rock solid and maybe even better than expected. The players credit him with instilling a tougher, more resilient mindset.

Pochettino said after the win over Australia, he could feel the fan support reverberating throughout the stadium in Seattle.

“Today, even if I’m not American, after the game I was emotional,” Pochettino said. “It was an amazing and perfect connection between the energy from the stands and the team. This makes us feel very proud.”

Questions remain about U.S. star player Pulisic

Because the U.S. has already won its group, Pochettino could experiment with his lineup for the match with Turkey on June 25. And it could provide extra rest for star midfielder Christian Pulisic, who missed the match with Australia because of a calf injury.

Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan, is considered the United States’ best player, but his absence also allowed the U.S. to show off some depth in the lineup.

With Pulisic out, Pochettino started striker Ricardo Pepi, and Pepi combined with Balogun on the run that created the first goal of the match in the 11th minute.

“We know how vital Christian is to the team and how much he can contribute in the game,” said Alex Freeman, who scored the second goal against Australia. “For us it was, we have Ricardo Pepi, who came in and had an amazing game. I think that just shows how (good) our roster is.”

Still, the U.S. will want Pulisic’s steady hand and creative playmaking as they get deeper in the tournament.

He has scored 33 goals in 87 international appearances, including the game winner against Iran in the 2022 World Cup that sent the U.S. to the round of 16.

History of home nations

The U.S. will enjoy the home support for as far as they can go in the tournament. It can be considerable.

The U.S. is co-host of the tournament with Canada and Mexico. Since 1930, the host nation has won the World Cup six times, most recently France in 1998.

When Mexico hosted in 1970 and 1986, it reached the quarterfinals both times. In 2002, co-host South Korea reached the semifinals. Host Russia reached the quarterfinals in 2018.

The U.S. finished third in the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. Its best finish in the modern era of soccer was the quarterfinals in 2002.

When the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994, the underdog Americans played in front of huge crowds and slugged their way through the group stage before being eliminated by Brazil.

Back then, just reaching the knockout round was the goal and a huge achievement for a group of players that punched above their weight.

The expectations this time are for much more, and growing with every goal in the back of the net.

“I think people can see what we’re capable of as a team,” Pepi said.

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Golf is a funny game. We all know it. You don’t need a reminder from this writer. But how about when he says it?

“Golf is such a funny game. A good example this week, if I finish second this week, it’s almost like, Hey, you failed in your first chance to win the career Grand Slam. It’s kind of, like, is finishing second a failure?”

That was Scottie Scheffler, of course. He said it four days ago, seated inside a white tent at Shinnecock Hills, squarely in front of a camera, beaming out a specific Scottie brand of perspective to the world. But does he feel the same way right now?

Probably not. We’re in the throes of battle now, made clear by that scream and fist-pump he unleashed on the 14th hole. He thought the tournament was slipping away, but chipped in for a miraculous birdie. You can bet he’s stewing about the 4-footer he missed on 18 — it would

only be human — which would have brought him one stroke closer to the top of the leaderboard. Instead, he’s six shots back. A few guys have a puncher’s chance, but he has the longest arms. 

The point of this exercise is that moods change as context changes. It was 336 days ago when he was asked for the first time about the career Grand Slam, just hours after winning the Open Championship. He laughed it off and reminded us, the people who really, really care about these things, that he is one of the few who doesn’t. 

On Tuesday, it felt like much the same as he delivered that line about second place and failure — quintessential Scheffler, reminding us to embrace the journey, to stop and smell the roses. But he followed it in a curious way, saying second is not always that bad… “But man, does it frickin’ hurt at the same time.”

The point where it can frickin’ hurt is officially here, rising from a low heat early in the week to an eerie boil. From 49th on Thursday night to 11th on Friday night to 2nd on Saturday. Scheffler may seem ultimately destined for the grand slam, but a number of people have gotten this close. It seems to be a coin-flip whether destiny becomes reality.

Scheffler’s new to it, technically speaking. This is his first try at the final leg. He knows he will have more. But he also knows how many second-place finishes Phil Mickelson has at the U.S. Open. He may not know that 13 players have three legs of the four, but he does know one of them is his Dallas buddy Jordan Spieth, who has been chasing it for nearly a decade. Every year the quest takes on different meaning, altered. Scheffler had the honor of putting the green jacket on Rory McIlroy at the 2025 Masters, the tears of relief following McIlroy’s own decade-long pursuit still drying on his freckly cheeks. 

“I think it’s appropriate to understand what’s at stake,” Scheffler said, admitting in the most coy way that he’s finally thought about what could be an impossibly epic Scottie Day. The best golfer in the world will rise Sunday morning to the new reality that his 20s are officially behind him. Sunday is his 30th birthday. He’ll spend a few hours with his young children, for it is also Father’s Day and there are many hours before the final pairing.

Once the emotions of all that settles, a telling moment will arrive. It might come on the front nine, the 7th hole, the tempestuous par-3 11th or, if we’re lucky, the closing stretch. It might last 30 seconds, 30 minutes or maybe even longer. He’ll have a reason to think the thing that everyone else is thinking right now: the slam is possible. 

The reason why?

Golf is a funny game. 

A planned tilt at the Ipswich Cup, for which Golden Path was well-supported in the market, has been shelved by co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, who have instead opted for a Sydney sojourn this Saturday.

The six-year-old is among the acceptors for the Listed WJ McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill, aiming to replicate his 2024 performance when he won the race.

“It was too difficult from barrier 15 of 15 in the Ipswich Cup,” Kent Jnr commented.

Golden Path has not recorded a victory since September last year, when he won an open handicap at Flemington. However, his record over the subsequent eight starts includes a third in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield and a second in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

“His problem is that he’s earned himself a fairly high rating without winning anything gangbusters,” he added.

“That group one placing in the Underwood, he’s always going to get top weight in these winter handicaps so it does pose some problems because he hasn’t been able to take that next step.

His latest run saw the gelding take charge into the straight during the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm on May 30, only to be run down late and finish fifth.

“He had to do a lot of work in that race, and he still stuck on with it quite bravely so I think if you have a soft draw and a soft run in transit, then he’d go close.

“Though if he was giving weight to a smart, progressive young stayer then they might be hard to hold out.”

With the WJ McKell Cup on the horizon, racing odds are becoming available at Australian betting sites.

CM Punk has been absent from WWE programming since the RAW after WrestleMania 42. The Second City Saint’s absence has raised many questions, including the status of his contract with the Stamford-based promotion.

Several different rumors have been making the rounds on social media regarding Punk’s future. Some even suggested that he was leaving WWE, but those claims were debunked. It was believed that the veteran’s contract with the global juggernaut would expire in November this year.

However, Fightful Select has put those rumors to rest as well. Punk’s contract is reportedly not expiring this year. The Second City Saint is expected to play a major role at SummerSlam, which means he could return to television soon.

The former World Heavyweight Champion is reportedly set to join SmackDown upon his return, which is interesting, given his last interaction with Cody Rhodes before his hiatus.

AJ Lee praises CM Punk

AJ Lee returned to WWE after a decade in September last year. She was last seen at WrestleMania 42, where she lost the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to Becky Lynch.

Speaking with Maurice Bernard on the State of the Mind podcast, the former Divas Champion praised CM Punk’s physical condition and his WrestleMania 42 main event against Roman Reigns, stating that he was in the best shape of his life.

“He’s in like the best shape of his life right now and was just champion for like most of the year. And had, I mean, I am his wife, so I am a little like biased, but like objectively one of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time this year, a few months ago. I’m just so impressed with how he is able to push himself and just be the best athlete he can be. He reaches for the moon every time,” said Lee.

CM Punk and AJ Lee formed an alliance on television upon the latter’s return last year. The real-life couple went on to face and defeat Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a Mixed Tag Team Match at Wrestlepalooza.

It will be interesting to see when Punk and AJ return to WWE television.