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Stakes shows grit to win at Caulfield Heath in 2026

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Jockeys in colorful silks ride sprinting horses on a grass racecourse, close pack charging forward.

Jockey Jye McNeil suggested that Stakes’ primary challenge is his own temperament, despite the horse’s victory in The Valley @ Caulfield Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield Heath.

Having debuted successfully at Bendigo last month, Stakes clinched The Valley @ Caulfield Handicap (1200m) on Saturday, marking his second win from three starts.

With blinkers fitted for the first time, Stakes ($4.40) edged out the $3.70 favourite Commit by a short head, while Put To The Sword ($14) secured third place a long neck behind.

Prior to his Saturday triumph, Stakes had finished third over 1100m at Caulfield on July 25, between his maiden win and his most recent performance.

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“I think they made all the difference,” McNeil stated concerning the blinkers.

“The other day he didn’t participate in the race in the early stages and that put him out of contention.

“Today, he jumped a lot better with the blinkers on, plus we were up 100 metres in distance. We had cover for the first part and then we were stuck in a position three-wide outside the speed.

“He’s still so backward. He lays on the other horses, he was wayward in the straight and I had to go back to hands and heels in the straight to get the best out of him.

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“The finished product is probably still a prep away, but he’s got the ability there.”

The Lindsay Park stable, operated by Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, trains Stakes.

J D Hayes commented that the win was a hard-fought effort.

“He’s a horse that has always improved,” Hayes said.

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“He had the ultimate gear change as a younger horse and was always one that was going to develop into a lovely three-year-old type.

“Having that fitness under his belt, that told late and it came to the fore there late.”

Hayes indicated that the stable would monitor Stakes’ recovery before determining his next race destination.

“That had a bit more credit to it as he was exposed from a long way out and he’s still not doing things 100 per cent,” Hayes commented.

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“He’s a horse with a fair bit of improvement and I’m looking forward to seeing how he pulls up.”

Betting markets for the race are sure to be competitive on horses showing such promise.

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Former Brazil international arrested after wife makes serious domestic violence allegation | Football News

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Former Brazil international arrested after wife makes serious domestic violence allegation
Jadson has been arrested in Brazil following domestic violence allegations involving his wife, while the former Brazil international denies physical assault/Image: X

Former Brazil international Jadson has been arrested in southern Brazil following allegations of domestic violence involving his wife. The 42-year-old, who enjoyed a successful career with clubs including Corinthians, Shakhtar Donetsk and Athletico Paranaense, has denied physically assaulting his partner, while Brazilian authorities continue to investigate the case after granting him provisional release under a series of court-imposed conditions.

Jadson arrested after alleged domestic incident

According to Globo Esporte, Jadson was arrested in the city of Cambé, in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná, following an alleged domestic violence incident that occurred during an argument with his wife.The outlet reported that the woman told police Jadson grabbed her by the neck with both hands and attempted to strangle her. Officers who responded to the incident reportedly observed visible marks on her neck that were consistent with her account.She also alleged that it was not the first time such an incident had occurred and requested protective measures as well as a medical injury assessment.Following his arrest, Jadson was initially taken to a police station before being transferred to Cambé State Prison.According to Globo Esporte, the former midfielder was formally investigated on suspicion of domestic violence, bodily harm and verbal abuse.

Jadson denies physically assaulting his wife

During questioning by the Civil Police, Jadson acknowledged that an argument had taken place but denied using physical violence.According to Brazilian outlet Meu Timão, he described the incident as a marital dispute and insisted no physical assault had occurred.Both Jadson and the complainant were taken to the Central de Flagrantes police station without handcuffs before providing their statements to investigators.His legal team also issued a statement following the incident.According to Brazilian outlet Meu Timão, Jadson’s defence said the investigation remains at an early stage and stressed that he is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The lawyers added that the court found no legal grounds to keep him in custody and said they would not discuss the case publicly while the investigation remains ongoing.

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Court grants provisional release

According to Meu Timão, Judge Karin Feuerharmel Giuseppin, of the Londrina court, ordered Jadson’s release on Sunday morning, granting him provisional freedom without requiring bail.The court imposed several precautionary measures while the investigation continues.Those conditions include reporting to the court every two months, informing authorities before leaving the city for more than 15 days, avoiding bars and similar establishments, and notifying the court of any change of address.The criminal investigation remains ongoing.

Career with Brazil and Corinthians

Jadson retired from professional football in 2022, with his final club being Vitória.The attacking midfielder enjoyed successful spells with Shakhtar Donetsk, Corinthians and Athletico Paranaense, while also representing the Brazil national team.He was part of Brazil’s squad that won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.At Corinthians, Jadson won the Brasileirão titles in 2015 and 2017, as well as the Campeonato Paulista in 2017, 2018 and 2019. He made 245 appearances for the club, scoring 50 goals and providing 64 assists.The case remains under investigation, and no final judicial determination has been made regarding the allegations against the former Brazil international.

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Keely Hodgkinson believes European 800m will be ‘race of the championships’

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Keely Hodgkinson expects her hotly-anticipated European title showdown with new nemesis Audrey Werro will make the women’s 800 metres the “race of the championships” in Birmingham.

The British Olympic gold medallist was beaten by the Swiss athlete in Stockholm in June, where Werro went third on the all-time list before running even faster three weeks later in Paris to enter this week’s European Athletics Championships with a world-leading one minute, 53.80 seconds.

Both women have declared their intent to take down Jarmila Kratochvilova’s 43-year-old world record, while the Netherlands’ Femke Broeders-Bol, one of the greatest 400m hurdlers, has also splashed into the 800m waters and holds the third-fastest time this season.

“We’ve spoken about (what they might do) a little bit,” said Hodgkinson. “Obviously I need to get through the rounds and just be in that final, but ultimately I’ll just focus on what I can do best and control my race.

“I don’t know what anyone else is going to do, but I think it’s going to be the race of the championships. I think it’s going to be really fun, so I’m excited.”

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All four of the world’s top women at 800m this year are European. French record-holder Anais Bourgoin rounds out the quartet of Birmingham competitors who have dipped below one minute, 56 seconds.

The only other woman to do so this year, Hodgkinson’s training partner Georgia Hunter Bell, is focusing on the 1500m, the same distance at which she is an Olympic bronze medallist.

Hodgkinson expects the 800m to be the race of the European championships (Adam Davy/PA)
Hodgkinson expects the 800m to be the race of the European championships (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)

Hodgkinson insists defending her European title for a second time would mean “just as much to me, almost, as winning in Paris (at the Olympics)”, because it would be a first on home soil.

She “hasn’t spent too much time” with Werro, though Hodgkinson admits the 22-year-old took her by surprise in Stockholm.

“I don’t really think I did anything wrong in that race,” the 24-year-old insisted.

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“I didn’t know what she was capable of at that point. I think that just shows you like you can’t underestimate anybody. If you look at all our other head-to-heads, you wouldn’t have thought she was going to hang on.

Audrey Werro is set to be one of Hodgkinson’s main rivals in Birmingham (Miek Egerton/PA)
Audrey Werro is set to be one of Hodgkinson’s main rivals in Birmingham (Miek Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)

“I think that’s where I was at that point in the season. It was my opening race. I think people are trying to make me feel like it was a failure and it really wasn’t. That was a British record. It was my fastest time ever and I’m going to remind myself of that because I’m proud of that.”

Hodgkinson, who has worked through a few fitness concerns already this season, still has her fair share of online critics.

They can be cruel, wrong, and sometimes downright bizarre.

It was never in Hodgkinson’s plans to compete at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where Hunter Bell claimed the 800m title.

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Yet Hodgkinson revealed: “Me and Georgia were laughing the other day because we saw a TikTok, and it was like ‘Georgia Bell pays Keely £200k to not do the Commonwealth Games.

“I thought, ‘well, I didn’t get that money so where the f***’s it going’. People make up stuff. We just laugh about it. But it’s a strange world we live in sometimes.”

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Patriots to replace recently installed turf field before exhibition opener

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Nov 13, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A general view of the stadium before the game between New York Jets and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesNov 13, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A general view of the stadium before the game between New York Jets and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Another new turf field is being installed at Gillette Stadium in time for the New England Patriots’ preseason opener, set for Thursday against the Indianapolis Colts.

The stadium in Foxborough, Mass., had a natural grass surface installed for recent FIFA World Cup matches hosted there, as was required under FIFA specifications. After France defeated Morocco in a World Cup quarterfinal match on July 9, the grass was removed and a new turf field put down.

That surface complied with standards for both NFL and MLS play, as the New England Revolution also call Gillette Stadium home.

However, Boston.com reported that the surface did not meet the NFL’s “laboratory testing protocols,” which apply in special complex circumstances, including those present at Gillette Stadium.

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The Revolution played a home game Saturday night, with the turf change expected to begin soon after to assure the field would be ready for the Patriots and Colts. Officials say the new turf will replicate the surface the Patriots and Revolution played on prior to the World Cup.

–Field Level Media

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“I would’ve knocked him out”: Fighter who retired undefeated says Manny Pacquiao avoided him

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While never quite securing the opportunity to do so, a former world champion has claimed that he would have “1000%” knocked out Manny Pacquiao.

The Filipino icon was only stopped three times in his 73-fight Hall of Fame career, with the first two occasions arriving when he was competing down at flyweight.

After suffering a third-round stoppage defeat to Rustico Torrecampo in 1996, when he was just 17 years old, the eventual all-time great encountered the same fate in his WBC title challenge against Boonsai Sangsurat around four years later.

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More notably, Pacquiao would eventually get knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, by which time he had already become an eight-division world champion.

But while ‘Pac Man’ was a typically durable customer throughout his career, Terence Crawford believes he would have become one of the very few to stop him.

The pair were actually in talks to collide in 2020, back when ‘Bud’ held the WBO welterweight title and Pacquiao was the WBA 147lb champion.

As it happened, though, Pacquiao was subsequently scheduled to face Errol Spence Jr in another unification match, only to lose his title to late replacement Yordenis Ugas after ‘The Truth’ pulled out with an injury.

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Crawford has therefore told Above The Rim that, had their showdown come to fruition, it would have been him standing triumphant in the opposite corner, but still maintains that the Pacquiao team ‘didn’t want it.’

“That’s the only person I wish I would’ve got the opportunity to fight. [I would’ve] 1000% [knocked him out]. Numerous times, we were lined up to fight each other. They didn’t want it.”

Interestingly enough, Pacquiao has previously said that, while he would have loved to fight Crawford, it always felt as though Top Rank promoter Bob Arum was ‘preserving’ him.

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Is Shubman Gill Fit To Play First Test Against Sri Lanka? India Coach Answers

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Indian spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said that skipper Shubman Gill is “very much ready” for the first Test against Sri Lanka, having missed the first two days of the warm-up clash against Sri Lanka XI after a hit on the finger during training. Gill made a return to action during the final day of the warm-up clash, scoring a quick 44 in 54 balls and laying the foundation for an easy 207-run chase for India that will give them plenty of morale ahead of the two-match Test series starting from August 15 at Galle.

Speaking about Gill’s return to action, Bahutule said that keeping him away from the field was “a precaution” and that the batter has been doing “absolutely fine”.

“It was just a precaution more than anything else. And he has been absolutely fine. He has been doing his training. And the management decided that we could just take that precaution of not putting him into that first day (of the practice match). And I think everything, the way he batted in the second inning, was again flawless. He is very much ready for the Test match,” said Bahutule as quoted by Cricinfo.

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SL XI won the toss and opted to bat first and declared at 363/8 in the first innings. Ravindu Rasantha (71 in 143 balls, with six fours and a six), Nishan Fernando (66 in 65 balls, with 11 fours and a six) and skipper Sonal Dinusha (52 in 72 balls, with five fours and a six) made half-centuries.

Manav Suthar (2/33), Ravindra Jadeja (2/64) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/76) were the leading bowlers for India. Aqib Nabi, drafted as Jasprit Bumrah’s injury replacement, did not bowl any overs. Meanwhile, Saransh Jain (0/54), who got his first call-up, got some action with the ball.

In response, India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) early, but a 96-run stand between KL Rahul (40 in 67 balls, with five fours and a six) and Devdutt Padikkal helped them get back into the game. Ravindra Jadeja (63 in 117 balls, with seven fours) had a 74-run stand with Padikkal before he retired hurt. Rishabh Pant (2) and Dhruv Jurel (1) were dismissed for poor scores.

Padikkal also had an 82-run stand with Manav Suthar (41 in 90 balls, with five fours and a six) and stood tall when India declared at 357/6, trailing by six runs. Padikkal made a sensational 142* in 164 balls, with 18 fours, at number three. In the lower order, Saransh (22 in 45 balls, with three fours) and Gurnoor Brar (36* in 18 balls, with four sixes) posted handy knocks.

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Asanka Manoj (2/32) and Ramesh Mendis (2/77) were the leading bowlers for Sri Lanka XI.

In their second innings, SL XI declared at 200/6, with Nishan Fernando (63 in 73 balls, with 10 fours), Nipun Dhananjaya (46 in 56 balls, with five fours) and Anjala Bandara (35 in 48 balls, with four boundaries and a six) playing handy knocks.

Jadeja (2/33) and Brar (2/37) were among the top wicket-takers for India, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna also getting a wicket each. Nabi also got to bowl five overs, conceding 27 runs.

In the chase of 207 runs, Jaiswal (61 in 46 balls, with nine fours and two sixes, retired hurt) put on a 105-run stand with skipper Gill (44 in 54 balls, with seven fours), who made a return to action on the final day.

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Pant (28 in 68 balls, with a four and three sixes) and Jadeja (22 in 32 balls, with three fours, retired hurt) played crucial knocks. In the end, Mohammed Siraj (32* in 15 balls, with a four and four sixes) and Saransh Jain (2*) stayed unbeaten as India ended the match at 214/4 in 45 overs.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)


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Luther Burden III set to miss some time with a groin injury, depleting Bears’ already thin WR depth

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is expected to miss some time as he recovers from a groin injury, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Burden III went down awkwardly in practice on Saturday and was seen leaving early with a trainer. While the good news was that the wideout was able to walk off under his own power, he was still walking gingerly.

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It looked like a lower-body issue, and now we know it is a groin injury. These issues can be problematic and easily aggravated, so the Bears may be a little more cautious with his recovery. The good news is that Chicago’s regular season start is over a month away, giving Burden III time to recover.

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The biggest problem in the interim is that without Burden III, the Bears’ wide receiver depth looks very thin.

Chicago opted to trade away veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. This put a lot of pressure and faith into the Bears’ young wide receiver foundation in Rome Odunze and Burden III.

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With Burden III now sidelined, Chicago has a glaring lack of depth at wide receiver. Odunze is clearly the top wide receiver, but currently he is joined by Kalif Raymond, Zavion Thomas, Jahdae Walker and Scotty Miller as the best options at the position.

Odunze is heading into his third season. Last year, he played in 12 games and finished with 661 yards and six touchdowns.

Raymond spent the last five years with the Detroit Lions, but jumped ship and signed with the Bears this offseason. The 5-8 receiver played in 15 games last year, but finished with 289 yards and a touchdown.

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The Bears drafted Thomas in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He spent his final two years of his college career at LSU after beginning at Mississippi State. Thomas played in 13 games for the Tigers last season and finished with 488 yards and four touchdowns.

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Walker went undrafted last year, but landed with Chicago. He saw action in nine games and finished his rookie season with 87 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.

Miller is another veteran option for Chicago. He spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Miller played in 13 games last year and had just 62 yards on nine receptions.

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The Bears’ wide receiving group was already expected to be inexperienced, but losing the talent of Burden III for the foreseeable future definitely hurts.

Quarterback Caleb Williams will rely on Odune, running back D’Andre Swift and tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet as his main options while Burden III is sidelined unless one of the depth wide receivers steps up.

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Kasper Hogh hat-trick powers Celtic to Kilmarnock thrashing without Martin O’Neill

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New Celtic striker Kasper Hogh delivered a tonic for the recuperating Martin O’Neill with a first-half hat-trick at Kilmarnock in the absence of his manager.

The Dane got off the mark in a Celtic jersey as the champions beat Killie 5-1 on the new grass pitch at Rugby Park to jump above St Mirren on goal difference at the top of the William Hill Premiership.

Shaun Maloney took charge of Celtic as O’Neill rested following an overnight hospital stay in midweek following what the club called a “small procedure”.

The 74-year-old was able to visit his players at the team hotel beforehand and they produced their highest-scoring league performance since beating Aberdeen by the same scoreline in May 2025.

Shaun Maloney was in charge for Celtic’s fixture at Kilmarnock (Robert Perry/PA)
Shaun Maloney was in charge for Celtic’s fixture at Kilmarnock (Robert Perry/PA) (PA Wire)

Benjamin Nygren put Celtic four up just after the interval before Michael Schjonning-Larsen netted a consolation for Killie, who created a steady stream of chances in the opening stages, although they were already one down by that point. Luke McCowan finished the rout in the 75th minute.

While Maloney deputised for O’Neill, there was another important figure from Celtic’s history present in Ayrshire. North America-based former owner Fergus McCann, the man who turned around the club’s fortunes off the pitch in the mid-1990s, made a rare appearance at a Celtic game.

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Celtic again started with Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels amid respective interest from Everton and West Ham, although the Canada right-back made way for Colby Donovan at half-time.

The game was over by that point and the writing was on the wall for Killie after just 70 seconds when Hogh headed home a left-wing Engels cross from close range.

Killie’s initial response was positive as the game swung from end to end. Aaron Tshibola and Tom Lowery had shots blocked with Celtic scrambling, Erik Ring knocked the ball wide from close range and both Tyreece John-Jules and Greg Kiltie had efforts saved by Viljami Sinisalo.

But Celtic were creating chances throughout. Camilo Duran, Engels and Nygren all threatened twice and Max Stryjek also made saves from Hogh and Kieran Tierney before the visitors doubled their lead in the 33rd minute.

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Killie centre-back Johnly Yfeko gifted possession inside his own half and passes from Callum McGregor, Duran and Nygren quickly set up Hogh to finish first time.

The summer signing from Bodo/Glimt completed his hat-trick two minutes later as Celtic again broke quickly after winning the ball back inside their own half. Yfeko charged well out of position and nobody ever picked up Hogh before the Dane nodded Duran’s cross home from close range.

Kasper Hogh scored a first-half hat-trick against Kilmarnock
Kasper Hogh scored a first-half hat-trick against Kilmarnock (PA)

Dozens of Killie fans headed for the exits 100 seconds after the interval when Nygren finished after being gifted the ball by Stryjek. They would not even have been out the stadium by the time Duran hit the crossbar.

Killie manager Neil McCann soon became involved in an argument with a supporter who had stayed behind and matters nearly deteriorated as Hogh, Tierney and Yang all came close.

Schjonning-Larsen finished off a measured passing move in the 56th minute but it proved a brief respite for the hosts.

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Hogh headed off the post before substitute McCowan hooked home after a corner and Stryjek kept the score down with stops from Sebastian Tounekti, the hat-trick hero and James Forrest.

Elsewhere, three Hearts summer signings were on target as Wouter Vrancken belatedly got his reign up and running with an emphatic 4-0 win over Dundee United.

Tom Renaud, Calvin Miller and Josh McPake all marked their first league outings at Tynecastle with goals, while last season’s talisman Claudio Braga broke his duck for the campaign, as Vrancken ended a run of four consecutive defeats since taking the reins.

Former Hearts boss Derek McInnes suffered a damaging home debut as Rangers manager with a defeat to Hibernian with star striker Youssef Chermiti carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

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Rangers thought they’d salvaged a point when an 85th-minute Miguel Chaiwa own goal cancelled out Josh Campbell opener, only for Callum Wright to fire home a stunning stoppage-time effort to sink the Ibrox club.

Motherwell meanwhile signed off for their Conference League third-round qualifier against HJK Helsinki with a goalless draw against Falkirk.

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Cavalry Girl’s dominant 2026 win at Caulfield

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Horse and jockey in blue, red helmet mid-jump over hurdle during a race; saddlecloth shows number 6 and 'The Valley' logo.

Cavalry Girl has continued her string of strong performances with an eye-catching victory at Caulfield Heath.

After breaking her maiden at Black Type level in Adelaide last start, Cavalry Girl contested open company on Saturday and dominated her rivals in the Sweeney Estate Agents Handicap (1000m).

Sent out as the $2.80 favourite under Linda Meech, Cavalry Girl showcased a potent turn of foot after straightening, putting the race beyond doubt. She finished 3-¾ lengths clear of Along The River ($5), with Bazaball Reward ($4) a further neck back in third. Observers focused on betting sites would have been impressed by the favourite’s commanding performance.

Joe O’Neill, a principal owner of Cavalry Girl, indicated that discussions would be held with trainer Tom Dabernig to map out the mare’s path towards the spring racing season.

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“What we might do is step back,” O’Neill said. “She’s had a pretty good prep, and you can go to the well once too often.”

“She loves the straight at Flemington and to be there during Melbourne Cup week would be nice, but we’ll just see. There are options. There are races in Sydney, there are races here, but I don’t know if Sandown would suit her. She can only do what she is doing, and she is belting them and that was a pretty fair field.”

O’Neill has all but ruled out the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m), to be run at Sandown this year, favouring sprint races down the Flemington straight during Cup week, a track Cavalry Girl has previously performed well at.

Cavalry Girl, a daughter of Bivouac, has now won six of her 16 starts, with four placings and earnings approaching $400,000.

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O’Neill described the four-year-old mare as a ‘marvel’.

“She’s a beautiful filly,” O’Neill declared. “I saw Bivouac up at the Hunter Valley on the weekend and I was talking to the boys that she looks like an Exceed And Excel filly, which Bivouac is by, and being from an I Am Invincible mare, and they’re gold. She’s a terrific filly and she annihilated them today. I was a bit worried today against the older horses, but she won well.”

With such a dominant performance, Cavalry Girl is a strong contender for upcoming features, and interested parties can check the racing betting markets for her next start.

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The Kevin O’Connell Quarterback Power Ranking if 2026 Goes South

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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell at the New York Giants in 2025.
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Kevin O’Connell is essentially the Statue of Liberty but for NFL passers. “Give me your tired, your poor passers,” the skipper appears to say, “for our Minnesota huddle yearning to throw free.”

Does he sing a similar song following the 2026 season?

Already, some are doing the purple dot connecting. What happens if neither of Kyler Murray nor J.J. McCarthy prove to be the long-term solution under center? Minnesota is desperate for one of these guys to work out but there’s no guarantee. Who could get signed up to become the next bounce back story for Kevin O’Connell?

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The Kevin O’Connell QB List for 2027

10 — Joe Burrow, Cincinnati

Joe Burrow gestures after a first down during a Cincinnati Bengals road game at SoFi Stadium.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gestures after converting a first down against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Nov. 17, 2024. Burrow reacted during second-half action as Cincinnati pushed the tempo and looked to sustain momentum in the road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

He’s the dream scenario. The problem is that he’s almost certain to remain in Cincinnati. What could occur is that the Bengals upgrades don’t lead to success in 2026, leading toward the veteran forcing his way out. He and Justin Jefferson remain close.

9 — C.J. Stroud, Houston

Mr. Stroud had a great rookie season but has struggled since then. Houston is being led by DeMeco Ryans, a terrific coach who has built a terrific defense. Does confidence in the young arm disappear if things go poorly again?

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8 — Jalen Milroe, Seattle

NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Rams in overtime at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

He got added while Nolan Teasley was still in Seattle. He’s very unlikely to overcome Sam Darnold. Does a trip to Minnesota make sense? Right now, he’s an upside backup behind a passer who could play for another decade.

7 — Bryce Young, Carolina

The former No. 1 selection took a step forward last season. Does he fully establish himself as the Carolina QB1? If not, where does he go?

6 — Justin Fields, Kansas City

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Harrison Smith and Justin Fields in 2023 and Soldier Field
Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) after picking up a first down in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images.

Size, athleticism, and resilience. He’s a good leader who is now getting to work under Andy Reid and alongside Patrick Mahomes. He’s going to improve.

5 — Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas

The Vikings could do better. The Vikings could also do worse. What remains to be seen is if he’ll survive in Vegas beyond a single year. Fernando Mendoza is marinating but the Raiders are going to toss him on the grill before long.

4 — Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis

NFL: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Sep 17, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

He needs to get healthy and then go from there. Lots of talk about Kevin O’Connell someday working with the former No. 4 selection. Upside.

3 — Will Levis, Tennessee

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Tennessee now has Cam Ward, somebody who demonstrated promise as a rookie even though he had very little support. Ward isn’t likely to cede ground. Levis, meanwhile, believes in himself.

2 — Mac Jones, San Francisco

Picking up a point guard would make sense. Jones could be that point guard. He appears to perfectly fit the general criteria as a former 1st-Round selection in the prime of his career and who has been a journeyman. Working in a similar offense in San Francisco is the icing on the cake.

1 — Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay

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Nov 27, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks on during pregame warmups against the Denver Broncos at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to settling in with the Buccaneers, Mr. Mayfield spent time with the Rams. He’s far from perfect but he’s an above-average player who carries himself with swagger. Justin Jefferson could feast with Mayfield throwing the ball.


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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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The problem Liverpool must address after Andoni Iraola’s losing Anfield bow draws Arne Slot parallels

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When Anfield had last hosted Liverpool, as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson bade farewell and their teammates embarked on their final lap of honour, Arne Slot had remained sat in the dugout. It proved the last sighting of him in Liverpool. Some 11 weeks later, Slot’s successor was a visible presence on the edge of the technical area, Andoni Iraola’s constant clapping encouraging his players at the start of a new era. It began with echoes of the old: a 3-2 defeat to Monaco, with a lead lost at Anfield, and with a goal conceded to a set-piece, had some similarities with Slot’s unravelling, even if the stakes were lower.

Iraola may hope the parallels with last season end when the competitive football starts. As it was, Liverpool outlined why they require Ronald Araujo and how their recruitment is unfinished. They have a left-back – Robertson’s replacement is his former deputy, a returning Kostas Tsimikas making his Anfield comeback – but Salah’s old spot remains unfilled. Lewis Koumas was a locum in the place of a legend on the right flank; the Welsh winger may be destined for a fourth straight loan spell rather than a run in the team.

Andoni Iraola still has work to do in the transfer market, as was evident in his Anfield bow against Monaco
Andoni Iraola still has work to do in the transfer market, as was evident in his Anfield bow against Monaco (PA)

His presence was an illustration that Liverpool’s business stalled after the June signing of Victor Munoz. They are yet to achieve their main objective. One ambitious target, Yan Diomande, has already eluded them. Another is out of reach as long as there is a significant difference between Liverpool’s valuation of Bradley Barcola and Paris Saint-Germain’s. There is no point in putting in a bid now when the European champions want well over £100m.

Liverpool have shown a willingness to pay such sums in the past; but their budget is limited now. Their two £100m men from 2025 struck in a way that at least offered optimism they will deliver more this season than last.

Alexander Isak only found the net twice at Anfield in his debut campaign for Liverpool; a friendly goal will not count towards his official tally but was guided in after a pass from Ryan Gravenberch. Isak and Florian Wirtz struck in the same game, which they only did once for Slot. The German got a poacher’s goal, bundling the ball over the line after Cody Gakpo’s header was blocked. If Wirtz alternated between central and wide roles under Slot, Iraola has installed him as his No 10.

Alexander Isak (right) and Florian Wirtz were both on target against Monaco
Alexander Isak (right) and Florian Wirtz were both on target against Monaco (Reuters)

There seems a clarity to that and a more vertical brand of football after the passiveness of Slotball irritated Anfield. Distinct differences were apparent in Iraola’s home bow. It was notable that the full-backs were often far more advanced than Gravenberch. That may suit Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, though the latter did not start against Monaco, more than Slot’s style of football did. Yet it also gives a need for centre-backs who can defend one on one.

And, as Liverpool turned victory into defeat, they underlined why the middle of the defence has been the other focus of their recruitment drive, and why additions are necessary. Araujo is undergoing a medical before he completes his surprise loan from Barcelona. Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, the youngsters who arrived for a combined fee of almost £100m, are yet to play in pre-season; Joe Gomez is already injured.

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Virgil van Dijk, in his first appearance since the World Cup, could be forgiven for rustiness when he tripped Aleksandr Golovin to concede a penalty the Russian converted himself. Wataru Endo, who spent the second half at centre-back, and Frimpong were both partly culpable when Mika Biereth levelled the scores.

Virgil van Dijk made his first appearance of pre-season but conceded a penalty
Virgil van Dijk made his first appearance of pre-season but conceded a penalty (PA)

Endo had come on for the great success of Liverpool’s tour of the United States. The giant Ifeanyi Ndukwe excelled again in the first half. The problem is that he is ineligible for competitive games, lacking a work permit, perhaps meaning a loan abroad beckons. In the Austrian and the Senegalese Mor Talla Ndiaye, Liverpool have two precocious 18-year-olds. Their defensive future can look secure. The concerns are about the present.

Araujo will tick some boxes; at 27, he is roughly halfway between Van Dijk and the duo of the 19-year-old Leoni and Jacquet, 21, in age and, unlike Gomez, is fit now. Liverpool need a bridge to the next generation. They hoped it would be Ibrahima Konate, but he wanted a financial package that could have felt a problem if, in a couple of years, he found himself understudying Leoni and Jacquet; or, indeed, Ndukwe.

Konate left without a proper goodbye. Harvey Elliott, who could have been gone for good, returned from his unproductive loan at Aston Villa to the loudest cheer of the afternoon. It may not herald a second coming at Anfield, however: he was the third man used at No 10, after Wirtz and then Dominik Szoboszlai, who had begun in midfield.

Harvey Elliott got the loudest cheer of the afternoon off the bench
Harvey Elliott got the loudest cheer of the afternoon off the bench (Reuters)

Even as he made 11 substitutions, there were other glimpses into Iraola’s thinking. Rio Ngumoha ended the game on the right flank. He may have to step into Salah’s shoes in more meaningful matches.

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