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Under Focus primed for 2026 Golden Rose according to Gibbons

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Jockey Dylan Gibbons is of the firm belief that if Under Focus executes a clean start in the upcoming Golden Rose, the colt possesses the capability to contend for a top finish.

The three-year-old encountered difficulties at the beginning of the Run To The Rose (1200m), but displayed commendable closing speed to secure third place behind Warwoven and St Gotthard.

Prior to that performance, he registered a midfield finish from an outside barrier in the Rosebud (1100m). With a favourable inside draw on Saturday, Gibbons considers him a strong contender.

“First-up the draw cost him but he ran well,” Gibbons said.

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“The other day he just sat down as the gates opened, but he was probably going to end up in that spot no matter what.

“When they backed the speed off, it was going to be hard to win, but I thought the fact he was able to go past a horse like Central Europe and make up two lengths on St Gotthard, that’s probably as good as he could have done from that position.

“(From that) alley, if he can jump a bit better and execute, there’s no reason why he can’t be in the top three.”

Currently listed at $11, Under Focus has favourite Guest House drawn immediately to his outside, and Gibbons acknowledges the latter as the horse to beat.

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However, the Golden Slipper victor’s slightly unconventional preparation, arriving at this race directly off a first-up win in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m), and the fact that he, like Under Focus, has not yet been tested over 1400m, provides Gibbons with reasons to hope for a minor vulnerability.

“He’s had to take an untraditional route, so he’s a keen horse going second-up into a 1400,” Gibbons noted.

“He’s obviously the one to beat, but there are a few little things there that aren’t ideal for him.

“If that gets him a bit fired up, or the tempo’s not strong enough for him, it might just ruffle his feathers a little bit.

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“But he has put the writing on the wall first-up, so he’ll get the respect he deserves.

“With my bloke, he’s been racing against the other ones, and I feel he’s on terms with them.”

Under Focus is prepared by Gibbons’ former mentor, Kris Lees, with both chasing their maiden triumph in this significant stallion-making event.

The pair have already collaborated for a top-level success with Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes (2400m), and Lees is confident about Under Focus’s preparation.

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“We’ve been really happy with his two return runs. Obviously, just stepping a little slow in the Run To The Rose was costly but he worked home well,” Lees commented.

“He’s come through it nicely. I’m really happy with where he’s at.”

Consider the Australian betting sites for the upcoming Golden Rose.

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4 Mistakes WWE made on SmackDown from Indianapolis (September 25, 2026)

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The latest episode of WWE SmackDown was a mixed bag. CM Punk, Gunther, and Finn Balor had a great main-event triple threat match. The rest of the bouts, however, weren’t nearly as good.

Trick Williams beat Baron Corbin again. The only benefit is that the feud is hopefully finally over. Nikki Bella got in WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green’s face about a title shot.

The former Divas Champion played a role in Green’s match later in the night. Damian Priest attacked R-Truth at the Performance Center earlier this week.

Randy Orton demanded Michael Cole interview him after he did the same for Cody Rhodes last week. Some storylines moved along while others did not. WWE made the next four mistakes on SmackDown from Indianapolis.


#4. No mention of the WWE Tag Team Championships

WWE is in another cycle of ignoring its tag team champions. Bron Breakker and Austin Theory were in Money in the Bank qualifiers instead of defending the World Tag Team Titles.

Part of the problem is that Triple H has done next to nothing to build the tag divisions on both RAW and SmackDown. The MFTs fought Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki last week in a non-title match.

This week’s SmackDown didn’t address last week’s showdown. There weren’t pre-taped promos or a backstage segment. Money in the Bank is obviously more important, but WWE could give a few minutes to one of the brand’s champions.

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#3. Paige gets pinned again

Paige’s return to WWE at WrestleMania 42 was an exciting moment. She won the Women’s Tag Team Titles with Brie Bella but has done nothing but lose since dropping those titles.

The Anti-Diva has fallen in her last five matches and has been pinned in her last four contests. Nikki Bella cheated in a one-on-one showdown by pulling the tights during the pin attempt.

Nikki then tripped her rival on SmackDown, leading to Jacy Jayne getting the pin. This booking is usually reserved for someone at the bottom of the roster. That isn’t Paige.


#2. The Lone Wolf has dull teeth

Baron Corbin came back to WWE earlier this summer. He immediately targeted United States Champion Trick Williams. Corbin eventually defeated Trick for the title at SummerSlam. He beat him in another messy rematch.

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Trick “earned” another shot because his rapper friend lasted for five minutes in a match with Corbin at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Corbin lost twice that night. He lost to Williams yet again, only this time inside of a steel cage on SmackDown.

The match quality has been mediocre and marred with interference. The money may be good, but Corbin doesn’t seem like a threat to anyone. He lost to a non-competitor in one contest. Corbin looks like a wolf without teeth after losing again.


#1. Did CM Punk really need to qualify?

Finn Balor, CM Punk, and Gunther battled for a spot in next month’s Money in the Bank match. The Best in the World has already held both the WWE and World Heavyweight Titles this year.

He’s also been part of the ongoing chaos around the Undisputed Championship. Since he’s held both major titles this year, Balor or Gunther should have earned the spot in Money in the Bank.

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Punk beat The Prince twice this year already, but Balor hasn’t had a fair one-on-one title shot since moving to SmackDown. Gunther had plenty of title opportunities this year but would have been a key part of the ladder match.

Most fans would root against him winning the briefcase. Instead of allowing a different veteran to qualify for Money in the Bank, Triple H handed another big spot to a guy who’s had plenty of them this year. Gunther also loses more steam after another big loss. He’ll probably blame Danhausen.