The prestigious Group 1 Flight Stakes is firmly on the agenda for the promising filly Sing Your Song, trained by Chris Waller, after she delivered a classy performance to win a race that has frequently been a springboard for spring carnival success.

Waller, who typically avoids starting his horses from outside gates, revealed that his decision to have the three-year-old race from the widest draw in Wednesday’s Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm was a reflection of the stable’s confidence in her considerable talent.

“It did, and also the way we rode her,” Waller stated. “She was a little bit slow out the other day, and we didn’t want to paint her as a horse who has to get back. I said to James (McDonald) I’d leave it to him to see how she jumped and teach her something today.”

James McDonald adopted a forward position on Sing Your Song ($2.60 favourite), settling her just outside the leader and driving her to the front in the final stages. She showed great determination to hold off Waiheke Rose ($2.90) by a neck, with her stablemate Wonka ($12) finishing a further neck behind in third.

As a full sister to the Group 2 winner Matias, Sing Your Song is currently priced at $11 for the Flight Stakes (1600m) scheduled for October 3rd, and Waller confirmed this is the race he is keen to target.

“I was hoping she could be a Flight Stakes filly,” he commented. “Obviously there is still a long way to go. We’ve got a little bit of time now to back off and regroup and time our run. I think she’ll be a better horse chasing eventually, but today will just wake her up a little bit.”

In an interesting note, the winner of Wednesday’s race has an esteemed history, with previous victors including the 2025 Spring Champion Stakes winner Attica and 2024 winner El Castello, alongside multiple Group 1 champion Ceolwulf in 2023.

This impressive lineage of past winners is unsurprising to Waller, who noted that three-year-old races held midweek just before the major carnival events often prove to be ideal stepping stones to loftier goals.

“This time of the year there are just some good horses racing,” Waller said. “The horses racing now that have had one or two runs, they’ve been looked after at two and they’re just starting to emerge at the right time. Anything that can win midweek at the moment is worth following.”

Sing Your Song’s triumph secured a double for Waller, following Godolphin filly Sequinned ($4) winning the opening race. Explore the top online bookmakers for the upcoming racing season at online bookmakers.

Top trainer Robert Garcia doesn’t believe the judges will be required come September 12 when Ryan Garcia defends his WBC welterweight world title against Conor Benn.

Benn was named mandatory challenger last year despite not fighting at the weight since 2022 and competing as high as middleweight on two high-profile occasions against Chris Eubank Jr.

When it comes to making his prediction, coach Garcia does not focus on how the weight cut – which Benn has admitted is ‘brutal’ – will affect the Brit, rather how Ryan Garcia will prepare.

The champion has blown hot and cold over the years, but Robert Garcia believes that fans will see a focused ‘King Ry’ come fight night, culminating in his 21st knockout win.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, the highly-regarded trainer revealed that Garcia is ‘hurting’ sparring partners and struggling to find replacements.

“I think [Ryan] is in great shape for this one, because he wants to defend [his title]. He wants to be the champion, the best in the welterweight division. I see him training hard. For previous fights against Rolly [Romero], I don’t think he was focused. I think he should have a good performance. I think he should win by knockout.

“But, look, if there’s one [moment] he’s not focused, or Conor Benn is able to take his punch and goes into the later rounds, then we could maybe see a chance. But I don’t see that. I hear from people in Southern California looking for sparring partners because he’s been hurting sparring partners and they need to find new guys … I don’t think it goes twelve rounds. I think Ryan wins by knockout.”

Garcia-Benn tops the bill at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with former cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia on the undercard.

Jadon Sancho’s time at Manchester United ended upon the expiration of his contract, but he is still without a club

Jadon Sancho’s time as a free agent could be ended by Dubai said Arabian Falcons. Manchester United released the former England international this summer, when his contract came to an end.

Five years after the Reds paid Borussia Dortmund £72.9million to sign the winger, Sancho remains without a club. However, it now appears Falcons, who are managed by former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and captained by ex-United prodigy Ravel Morrison, are plotting a pitch to sign Sancho.

The forward has enjoyed time in Dubai in the past, having previously flown out there during winter breaks and for warm-weather rehabilitation. Now it appears the second division UAE side are prepared to offer him a route out of free agency.

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Mirror Football understands the Emirati football club are plotting an ambitious approach to attract Sancho and other free agents to the club.

Sancho had been linked with moves to Fiorentina and Roma, though neither club chose to pursue a deal. He has also been connected with a surprise switch to Brazilian outfit Palmeiras.

The former England international, who netted three goals in 23 caps for the Three Lions, has turned out for four clubs over the past three seasons, including the appearances he made for United during the 2023-24 campaign.

He enjoyed an emotional return to Dortmund on loan in the January 2024 transfer window, even featuring in the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium, which the German side lost 2-0 to Real Madrid.

After Dortmund chose not to sign him on a permanent basis, he spent a season on loan at Chelsea, where he claimed a Europa Conference League winners’ medal. A permanent switch to Stamford Bridge ultimately failed to materialise, with the Blues paying a £5m penalty fee to United to withdraw from an obligation to sign him for £25m.

Villa were the next club to take him on loan, yet he struggled to nail down a regular starting berth in Unai Emery’s side. He managed just one goal and three assists in 39 appearances, though he did end the campaign with a Europa League winners’ medal.

The Falcons are hopeful that the prospect of living in Dubai, which also offers tax-free earnings, along with the club’s top-class facilities, may be sufficient to attract the likes of Sancho.

The forward has a connection with the popular Emirati city, having previously travelled there to recuperate from injuries.

He is not the only high-profile player currently without a club. Former England team-mate Raheem Sterling also failed to secure a new side in the summer, as did ex-United colleague Paul Pogba, amongst others.

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Ignacio Buse, of Peru, serves the ball to Marcos Giron, of the United States, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo)

Peruvian tennis player Ignacio Buse earned his first US Open match win on Wednesday, adding another chapter to his family’s history at the tournament nearly seven decades after his grandfather last won a match there.The 22-year-old, seeded 32nd, defeated American Marcos Giron 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-1 in a match that lasted three hours and 48 minutes on Court Six.Buse sealed the win with a backhand volley, which was followed by celebrations from his team and fans in the stands.“It’s difficult to find the calm in those situations, but in the fifth set, I just tried to recover mentally,” Ignacio said, as quoted by news agency Reuters.“It’s a mental battle out there. I just stayed calm. It’s a very special moment.”The victory also brought back memories of his grandfather, Eduardo Buse, who last won a match at the tournament in 1958.Although Ignacio never met his grandfather, he has now matched a family achievement that dates back 68 years.Eduardo Buse, along with his twin brother Enrique, is remembered in Peruvian tennis history through Lima’s Estadio Hermanos Buse. He first played at the tournament in 1942.His last US Open win came in 1958, when he defeated American Edward Atkinson in five sets in the opening round.At that time, the tournament was known as the US Championships and was played on the outdoor grass courts of the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York. The US Open moved to hard courts in 1978.Ignacio arrived in New York after winning the Winston-Salem Open last week and will now face Benjamin Bonzi in the second round.

Tolaga Bay is set to be given her opportunity in a Black Type race after commencing her campaign with a victory at Sandown, maintaining her unblemished record.

The Mark Walker-prepared daughter of Alabama Express claimed the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap, run over 1300 metres, on Wednesday.

The Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 19, or the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m), also at Caulfield eight days later, are the races Walker is likely to target for the filly.

Guided by jockey Michael Dee, Tolaga Bay ($4.20) achieved a victory by a long head against Somethings Burnin’ ($2.45), with Crudens Tycoon ($11) finishing a further 2-½ lengths behind in third.

Walker commented that Tolaga Bay, who was a debut winner at Ballarat in February, would benefit from her outing on Wednesday.

“There is still good improvement in this girl,” Walker stated. “Her coat is coming along but is not quite there. It’s been a hard winter getting them ready because it’s been so wet and we haven’t had much grass (to work on).”

He added, “I know it was a small field, but the horse that ran second is a pretty good horse.”

Walker commended Dee for his patient ride, as he transitioned from an outside draw to settle outside the $2.40 favourite Greenwich Boy, who ended up in fourth place.

“It was a lovely ride of Mick’s,” Walker said. “Even though he drew the outside, he came across quietly. They didn’t go much of a gallop, but she had a kick at the end, and she will improve off that as well. After today we’ll try and hunt down some ‘Black Type’, so it’s onwards and upwards.”

The trainer suggested that Tolaga Bay would eventually handle 1600 metres and has not ruled out the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield next month.

“You always hope so (get to the Thousand Guineas), but you have to really step up, but a mile will suit her,” Walker said. “She’s out of a Lope De Vega mare, so there’s no reason she won’t get a mile. We might look at the Thousand Guineas Prelude or the week later the Jim Moloney, it will be either or, and it’s probably best to give her a look at Caulfield and see how we are at that track if we decide to head there.”

Tolaga Bay will be given her chance at a Black Type contest after resuming with a win at Sandown and remaining unbeaten.

Be sure to check out the betting markets for the race at leading Australian betting sites.

Katie Taylor finished preparation for her Croke Park farewell against unbeaten Flora Pili by inviting a young fan into the ring to train with her.

Once Taylor had completed her session at Wednesday’s open workout, she picked out Clodagh Keating from the crowd at random, gloved up her right hand and then coached her to throw some shots while moving.

Keating, a 10-year-old aspiring boxer from Dublin who has been learning the basics in classes, burst into tears at the prospect of being in the ring with her idol and then had her hand held aloft when the session was over.

Taylor is aiming to become a three-time undisputed world champion by defeating Pili with a sold out 80,000 crowd in attendance for her final fight before retiring.

Speaking at the ticketed event at The Helix in Dublin, Taylor said: “Just feeling the atmosphere in this small arena, I can’t imagine what Saturday evening is going to be like.

“This is what it’s all about for me. It’s just an absolute joy to be here. I’m so grateful for what I get to do. I actually love every single day and I don’t take this for granted.

“In a few days I’ll make my last ring walk and I’ll look back on this in a few years and I imagine I’ll be overwhelmed.”

The Olympic gold medallist continued: “For the last few months I’ve been training to give my career best performance, purely for everyone’s support over these last few years.

“The last 30 years of my whole career, you guys have been with me from the start. You were with me throughout the London 2012 Olympics, you were with me through the heartbreak of Rio and then you stayed with me when I turned pro. I’m so grateful, thank you so much.”

Taylor turned 40 early last month but the ‘Bray Bomber’, who has posted 25 wins in 26 fights, is ready for what will be the most cherished moment of her career.

She said: “I feel great. I think 40 is the new 30 or something! I actually just turned 40 a few weeks ago, but I feel great – thank God.

“I’m obviously expecting a tough fight, but this is what I’m made for, this what I’m born for. I love the tough challenges. I love the tough fights.

“This isn’t going to be a walk in the park. I’ve got a tough, young challenger in front of me.

“I purposely chose a tough challenger for my final fight. I’ve built up my reputation taking the tough fights all throughout my whole career. Why treat my last fight any differently?”

The odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl got even better on Sunday, with Aaron Donald rejoining the Los Angeles Rams as he ended his retirement after two years. But should we expect Donald to play at the level that won him three Defensive Player of the Year awards this season?

We asked several scouts around the NFL if they think Donald will have a tremendous impact on the Rams this season and what to expect from the 10-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle. The answers we got varied, with some expressing confidence that he’ll play at a high level again and others believing we should lower our expectations for Donald.

Here’s more about what we learned from our conversations with scouts and people around the league about Donald’s return this season. 

Eric D. Williams: Yes, he’s 35 years old and hasn’t struck a man in anger with pads on in two seasons. Still, according to scouts I spoke to, they expect Aaron Donald to have the same type of impact the three-time Defensive Player of the Year had when he left the game after the 2023 season.

“If one man can do it – it’s AD,” one longtime scout told me. “He still trains like a player. He’s got a strong appetite for ball! He will be a rotational player, but the snaps will be significant!”

Another scout noted the amount of time Donald spent working out before returning to the field last week. Donald said he spent 14 weeks of intense workouts with personal trainers before determining he was in good enough shape to rejoin the Los Angeles Rams.

“I thought this would be the time he would return,” the scout told me. “It looks like they kept tabs on his conditioning too, with several workouts. I’d say he’s a sub-package, plug-and-play guy the first two weeks and then can be an every-down guy after that.

“There will probably be some rust, and the wear and tear may show some. But he’s still a difference maker and leader.”

However, not everyone I spoke with offered a glowing perspective on Donald’s return.

“My guess is he is a good player, but not great anymore,” a league source told me. “I think he plays around 35 to 40% of the defensive snaps for the Rams this year.

“To me, it’s more about his age than missing time. How many great 35-year-old defensive players are there in the NFL right now?”

Aaron Donald earned his eighth first-team All-Pro nod in his last season in 2023. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Donald has played at least 67% of his team’s defensive snaps in each season of his NFL career, including 81% of the Rams’ defensive snaps in his last season, per Pro Football Reference. But some older defensive linemen turn into one-down players as they reach the later portions of their career. Von Miller, for instance, played just 37% of the Washington Commanders’ defensive snaps last season at age 36. 

Ralph Vacchiano: The rich got a little richer when Aaron Donald returned to the Los Angeles Rams this week. But not everyone is convinced that the addition of the future Hall of Famer is the luxury that it seems.

“Look, he’s an all-time great player,” an NFL scout told me. “He’s probably still great. I wouldn’t bet against him. But he’s not immune to reality. He’s 35. He retired three years ago. It’s not easy to play at that age. It’s even harder being away for so long.”

“Wait and see,” another NFL scout told me via text. “The guy was a monster. Is he still? I need to see it first.”

Donald last played in 2023 when he had a respectable eight sacks in 16 games, and his last double-digit sack season was 2021 when he had 12.5. But it certainly seems like he has a chance to reach those numbers again playing on a defensive line with Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year who set an NFL record with 23 sacks last season. 

“If he’s healthy, you can’t block them both. It’s a problem for everybody,” the first scout told me. “But it’s the health I’m worried about. He’ll say he’s in phenomenal shape. I’m sure he looks it. But working out for a few years is different than playing football for a few years. It just is. 

“And he’s going to feel it.” 

Hans Niemann and Ian Nepomniachtchi

American chess grandmaster Hans Niemann has criticised Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi after the former world championship challenger questioned a move played by 14-year-old Canadian chess player Aaron Mendes during an online tournament.Niemann has called on FIDE, chess’s international governing body, to take action against players who make public accusations or suggestions of wrongdoing, particularly when young players are involved.

Niemann calls for FIDE action

Writing on X, Niemann said FIDE should punish players who make such comments publicly and create a clear example to prevent similar incidents in the future.“FIDE must punish players for public accusations and insinuations, especially regarding a 14 year old. Nepo made similar comments regarding Faustino Oro(12). FIDE must set a precedent to prevent this from happening in the future. NBA fines players for complaining about the refs, this is far more extreme in comparison,” Hans wrote on X.He also urged players who have genuine concerns about a game to use official channels rather than making accusations publicly.“If you want to make an accusation, voice it privately to the FIDE ethics commission, don’t defame your fellow chess players, causing irreparable harm.”

What happened during the game?

Mendes, a Canadian chess prodigy who became the country’s youngest International Master at the age of 12, defeated Nepomniachtchi in Round 10 of the Titled Tuesday event on September 1.During the game, Nepomniachtchi questioned one of Mendes’ moves on his stream. The Russian grandmaster appeared suspicious of Mendes choosing an en passant capture instead of making a check.“14-year-old boy, right? Well, the boy who deliberately does not make a check move — hats off to him. That is very respectable.I would have zero suspicions about this game, but his en passant instead of a check — it leaves a bad taste. Like, why? How? For what?Aaron, my friend… Well, fortunately, we will not play against Aaron again in the tournament, because we already learned our lesson from him.”The incident came after Nepomniachtchi blundered on move 38, giving Mendes a strong advantage. Two moves later, Mendes left his Bishop under attack but chose an en passant move instead. Nepomniachtchi resigned five moves later.Mendes currently has a classical rating of 2340 and is ranked No. 27 in Canada.

Some hockey fans will find their favorite teams games exclusively streaming on Amazon Prime starting this season.

Amazon announced on Wednesday that Prime Video and the National Hockey League have reached a multi-year deal that gives Prime Video the exclusive local streaming rights for six NHL teams starting in the 2026-2027 hockey season.

The Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and St Louis Blues will have their games exclusively streamed on Prime Video for fans living in the teams’ regional territories.

The streams will include the games plus pre- and post-game shows and other team programming, according to Amazon. Each of the participating teams will announce the specific details of their streaming packages and subscriptions for their respective territories.

“Fans want an easy way to find and follow their favorite teams, and this agreement with Prime Video gives Clubs the flexibility to meet that demand as the market evolves,” NHL Chief Media Officer and Senior Executive Vice President David Proper said in a statement.

He told the Sports Business Journal that the NHL ultimately took a variety of deals to the participating teams and said they opted to go with Amazon’s offer.

“We talked to a whole bunch of different people, and everybody had good proposals and a lot of good partners,” Proper said. “At the end of the day, we negotiated all of them as far as we could and then took them to the clubs, and the clubs opted for the Amazon opportunity.”

Prime Video already carries a number of local sports team coverage. The Seattle Kraken, MSG Networks, CHSN, NESN, Peacock NBC Sports Network RSN’s in Boston, Philadelphia, and the Bay Area, SNY, YES Network, and Marquee Sports Network are already on the service, and more are reportedly going to be added in the future.

Amazon’s sports offerings can be watched on all compatible devices, including on browsers and Prime Video apps across devices.

Fans who aren’t in local markets can still watch games via NHL Center Ice.

In addition to the Kraken, Amazon now has the exclusive local streaming rights for seven NHL teams.