Young riders Siena Grima and Braith Nock are locked in an intense battle for the Sydney apprentices premiership, with the competition heating up at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Nock has held the lead for a significant portion of the season, but Grima has recently surged forward. Her impressive treble at Royal Randwick last Saturday, guiding Tazima, Perfect Justice, and Benevac to victory, has elevated her to 33 wins, establishing a three-win lead with only five meetings remaining.

Grima enjoys the support of the leading Chris Waller stable, which has provided her with four rides at the mid-week fixture. These include Aurora Boom ($7) in the opening event, the Racing And Sports Plate (1100m).

Her other mounts for the Waller stable are Leonessa ($19) in the Robrick Lodge Plate (1100m), Snitzel Miss ($10) in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1400m), and Full Hao ($10) in the Ole Kirk At Vinery Stud Handicap (1600m).

Grima is also scheduled to ride Dusty Bay ($5) for trainer Tracey Bartley in the TAB Handicap (1400m). She will also partner Stormland ($9.50) from Ciaron Maher’s stable in the Irresistible Pools and Spas Handicap (1100m) and Brannum ($71), trained by Theresa Bateup, in the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1600m).

Grima is in contention to become only the fourth female apprentice to claim the Sydney premiership, following the achievements of Rachel King (2017/18), Winona Costin (2014-15), and Kathy O’Hara (2004-05).

Nock, however, is keen to reignite his title defence with six rides at Warwick Farm, each representing a different trainer. His most promising contenders are likely to be Deep Pleasure ($6), prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior, in the Ole Kirk At Vinery Stud Handicap, and Let’s Go Again ($7.50) for the Kerry Parker stable in the Irresistible Pools and Spas Handicap.

Nock’s other engagements include Divine Offering ($21) for Peter Snowden in the Racing And Sports Plate, Gone To Gowings ($23) from the Clarry Conners stable in the Robrick Lodge Plate, the Joel Wilkes-trained Danish Fortune ($13) in the Agency Real Estate Handicap, and Voracious, trained by Mack Griffith, in the TAB Handicap.

Nock is aiming to join an exclusive club of jockeys who have won multiple Sydney apprentice premierships in this century.

The history books show Zac Lloyd secured successive Sydney titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Robbie Dolan achieved the same in 2018-19 and 2019-20, while Sam Clipperton won back-to-back premierships in 2012-13 and 2013-14. Mitch Newman claimed his second title in 2000-01, following an earlier win in 1998-99.

Meanwhile, Chris Waller, who has already amassed 176 wins this season, is also chasing a record at the Warwick Farm meeting.

The Hall of Fame trainer requires an additional 13 victories to match his personal best for the most Sydney wins in a season, a mark of 189 winners he achieved in 2017-18.

Waller has runners in five races on Wednesday, including Saloon Passage, who is the $3 favourite for the Asahi Super Dry Handicap.

The Ole Kirk At Vinery Stud Handicap presents an interesting betting opportunity, with many looking to secure the best racing odds.

(L-R) England’s forward #19 Ollie Watkins, midfielder #17 Morgan Rogers, midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham,forward #09 Harry Kane, defender #15 Dan Burn, goalkeeper #13 Dean Henderson, goalkeeper #01 Jordan Pickford, forward #18 Anthony Gordon and forward #11 Marcus Rashford celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on July 11, 2026. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

England is bidding to end Lionel Messi’s dream of winning back-to-back World Cups and reach its first final in six decades as it renews their old rivalry with holders Argentina on Wednesday in a seismic semifinal showdown.

An England team which has been dragged to this stage by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham takes on Messi’s Argentina under the roof of the spectacular arena in Atlanta, already the scene of a memorable victory by the defending champions at this tournament.

It is the first competitive meeting of the sides since the 2002 World Cup and the fixture conjures so many memories, from Diego Maradona and the ‘Hand of God’ in 1986, to David Beckham’s red card after tangling with Diego Simeone in 1998, while also thrusting the lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands back into the spotlight.

READ: ‘VAR-gentina?’: Conspiracy theories swirl ahead of World Cup semis

“The message is this is a football game. That’s what I can say,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after his team’s 3-1 quarter-final win over Switzerland.

There is more than enough to focus on in purely footballing terms, with England one win from a first appearance in the World Cup final since they lifted the trophy in 1966.

Argentina, meanwhile, are looking to reach a third final in four World Cups, and in doing so remain on course to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.

“This squad does not get tired of making history. They keep wanting more,” said Messi after the Switzerland game.

“It is not easy to have been world champions, to have won all that we have won, and to once again keep competing at this level and be back in the semifinals.”

READ: World Cup gets set for blockbuster semifinals

Remarkably, the semifinal is also the first time Messi has ever played against England.

Epic feel

Neither team has enjoyed a smooth passage to this stage.

Argentina cruised through the group phase, but the knockout rounds have been frenetic for the team coached by Scaloni, the one-time West Ham United full-back.

Twice they were pegged back before beating Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time. Then they needed a late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, before requiring extra time to sink 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on Saturday.

That game ended Messi’s streak of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup outings, but extended the Albiceleste’s unbeaten run at the finals to 12 matches since losing to Saudi Arabia in 2022.

England began with a thrilling 4-2 win over Croatia but have struggled to hit the same heights since, even if their run in the knockout rounds has had an epic feel to it.

READ: World Cup: Jude Bellingham lifts England past Haaland, Norway

They needed a late comeback, and two Harry Kane goals, to beat DR Congo 2-1, then held on with 10 men to defeat Mexico 3-2 in the Estadio Azteca in a World Cup classic in which Bellingham notched a brace.

The Real Madrid star also scored twice, including an extra-time winner, as England fought back to beat Norway 2-1 in Miami at the weekend.

And so here they are, in a fourth semi-final in the last five major tournaments.

“We all know how good Messi is but we also know how good Argentina are. We can’t solely rely on (stopping) Messi,” England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said Monday.

“We’ve got to focus on their other strengths and the weaknesses we can take advantage of.”

Ageing lineup

Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland at the Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City on July 11, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

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Argentina is an ageing side, and perhaps their exertions to reach this point will catch up with them–the average age of its starting line-up against Switzerland was over 30, while England’s against Norway was 26.6.

England has a doubt over Declan Rice, who has been struggling with illness, as it prepares to face Messi at last, right at the end of his glorious career.

“I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final,” said 39-year-old Messi.

The last meeting of the teams was a 3-2 friendly win for England in November 2005, when Michael Owen scored twice.

Messi was 18 at the time and had made his international debut three months earlier, but he did not play in that game.

J.J. McCarthy may turn into something memorable in quarterback-speak down the line, but his time with the Minnesota Vikings is over, according to Fox Sports‘ Colin Cowherd. The vociferously opinionated analyst has been low on McCarthy since the 2024 NFL Draft, and his comments last week were merely a continuation of that trend.

McCarthy will face Kyler Murray in a quarterback competition at the end of the month, with Cowherd claiming that duel is basically already over.

Vikings Still Control McCarthy’s Longer Timeline

Cowherd on McCarthy

Cowherd said on his show Friday, “They don’t want J.J. McCarthy to be a bust, but he’s a miss. That doesn’t mean he can’t go somewhere else and succeed. Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold went elsewhere and found success, but the difference is the Vikings are a well-run organization with a great coach and a great defensive coordinator, and it’s not working.”

“Kyler Murray is going to work here. He’s not going to work as well as Sam Darnold because he’s not as good as Sam Darnold, but Kyler Murray is going to win the job because he’s going to own the locker room. The players think he’s more talented. J.J. McCarthy may flourish elsewhere, but when you go to a solid organization, and it doesn’t work after two or three years, it’s not going to work.”

At least Cowherd is high on Murray; it’s not all doomsday for the Vikings.

Cowherd continued, “This is not the Jets. Eventually, even if you have a rocky start, you find your way in this league pretty quickly. And I think with J.J. McCarthy, I’m not rooting against him.”

“I think he could find another organization, maybe like Arizona someday, but it’s not working because Minnesota is well run. Competition at quarterback in the NFL is nonsense. Nobody buys into that.”

The Discussion on McCarthy Is So Binary

For some Vikings fans, the ongoing quarterback competition has prematurely become a referendum on McCarthy’s career.

While losing the starting role to Murray would be a setback — particularly given McCarthy began last season as Minnesota’s starter — he would remain under contract with the Vikings for three more years, allowing time for development.

Murray’s current contract is for only one season, meaning Minnesota could be seeking another long-term solution as early as next spring. McCarthy could still fulfill that role. The Vikings drafted McCarthy based on his perceived long-term potential. A single disappointing summer would not negate that evaluation or preclude him from future opportunities.

McCarthy could spend the 2026 season as a backup and still emerge as Minnesota’s starter thereafter. Quarterback careers seldom follow a linear trajectory. Training camp will determine the immediate depth chart, not his entire NFL future. His summer is not a binary transaction.

Don’t Forget Murray’s Injury History

A sad fact: Murray has missed 26% of all career starts due to injury. He’s not a humongous guy, and with a small stature compared to his quarterback peers, he’s gotten hurt at an eyebrow-raising pace. Wouldn’t the Vikings want McCarthy and his upside around if Murray misses games due to injury? They absolutely know about his resume, and absences are a part of it.

If history repeats, Murray will miss a handful of games in 2026 — hopefully not many — and Minnesota will need an alternative. McCarthy may be perfect for the assignment, itching to prove he’s the right guy on the team that drafted him for the exact job in 2024.

Cowherd leaned into the “someday” aspect of McCarthy’s future. That part is likely true because the Vikings would be silly to discard him this soon.

Age on McCarthy’s Side

McCarthy is also young. He turned 23 in January. Some rookie quarterbacks are older than that.

Trey Lance, for example, received about three auditions in the regular season and training camp to prove his mettle. McCarthy is on chance No. 2. The book doesn’t have to be written on McCarthy just yet; it’s just that his first chapter has some pretty wild ups and downs.

If Cowherd were opining a 26-year-old who had been given a litany of chances and habitually squandered them, the narrative would be different. But the fact remains that McCarthy is only 23.

Mayfield, mentioned by Cowherd, didn’t revitalize his career in Tampa Bay until age 28. Darnold was 27 when he signed with the Vikings and got back on track in 2024. McCarthy’s parallel to these comparisons would be 2030 or 2031 — if you can believe it.

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Christy Ann Perez and Christopher Te claimed the overall Sunrise Sprint titles with contrasting victories on Sunday in the Sun Life 5150 Bohol Triathlon, highlighting the country’s emerging triathlon talent.

Perez dominated the women’s 16-17 division from start to finish in the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5 km run, clocking 1 hour, 17 minutes and 52 seconds. Isabel Reyes placed second in 1:44:12.

Te, meanwhile, survived a tight battle in the men’s 18-24 race, winning in 1:08:29 after holding off John Michael Lalimos (1:10:06) and Carron Cañas (1:12:59).

Their victories also secured the overall Sunrise Sprint crowns in the event, which serves as an entry-level race alongside the Olympic-distance Sun Life 5150 Bohol. Ines Santiago and Mervin Santiago won the centerpiece 5150 race, while national team standouts Erika Burgos and Dayshaun Ramos captured the Filipino Elite titles.

Host Team Bohol thrilled the hometown crowd in Panglao by winning the men’s relay in 2:00:15, beating Team Kuya J Multisport Team (2:05:58) and Team FerrumTri FLIQ1 (2:08:51).

Team Anselmos ruled the women’s relay in 2:27:52, finishing ahead of Team Kuya J Multisport Team (2:42:53) and Team BYD (2:52:48).

Team FerrumTri FLIQ1 topped the mixed relay in 2:24:15, followed by Team TriBohol (2:50:08) and Team TSG (2:55:59).

Other Sunrise Sprint age-group champions were Giro Don Rafael Gito (men’s 16-17), Cecille Mole (women’s 18-24), Justin Pabualan and Joanna Galeza (25-29), Philip Jurolan and Patricia Ann Cruz-Bautista (30-34), Alex Silverio and Mary Grace Torres (35-39), Haroun Calbe and Eugenie Neri (40-44), Indi Felisco and Mae Corona (45-49), Philip Tan Jr. and Nonie Calimbayan (50-54), and John Alcano and Leoniza Gusilatar (55-59).

In the Sunrise Sprint relay races, Team East PH Tri 1 won the men’s title, Team Aceledar topped the women’s division, and Team TriForReels captured the mixed relay crown.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts landed outside the top 10 ranking of quarterbacks in the NFL in a recent poll conducted by ESPN among the league’s coaches, scouts and executives. Despite his success in the NFL, including winning the Super Bowl, he only earned an honorable mention.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler explained why Hurts wasn’t ranked among the top NFL quarterbacks via a phone call on “Midday With Marks” on Monday. While noting his respect for Hurts, the NFL insider highlights a perceived lack of “fear factor” compared to the league’s elite signal-callers.

“This is an exercise in fear,” Fowler said. “Fear in the NFL is currency. You fear your opponent. When you game plan against the Eagles’ offense, does Jalen Hurts keep you up at night? So, to be a top quarterback, you have to be number one on that scouting report.

“You play the Eagles, it’s Saquon Barkley in the running game, and then it’s probably or was A.J Brown. That is not to diminish Hurts. But he doesn’t have the same fear factor as the top guys do. I am a little surprised that he is as low as he is.”

The list, published in the early hours of Monday, had Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen as the top name on the list, followed by Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford. However, the exclusion of Jalen Hurts has sparked significant debate around quarterback evaluation across the NFL world.

Jeremy Fowler highlights what Jalen Hurts needs to do better

Surprised by the exclusion of Jalen Hurts from the top quarterback ranking, Jon Marks questioned Jeremy Fowler on what the Eagles signal-caller needs to do better in his game. The NFL insider pointed out the flaws in the quarterback’s game that got him excluded from the list.

“They want more quality passing, particularly over the middle of the field,” Fowler said. “Quick decision-making from the pocket … That’s really what they want. They feel like he struggles in that area.

“This is a very tough discussion because there’s a great deal of respect in the league for Jalen Hurts for his intangibles. He throws a great deep ball, and he does a lot of things well. … But in the simplest form, the Eagles were in the bottom third in passing offense the last two years.”

Hurts has repeatedly silenced doubters throughout his career, from overcoming criticism to delivering in the biggest moments. The ESPN quarterback poll has added fuel to the conversation around the Eagles quarterback, and the upcoming 2026 season is another opportunity to prove doubters wrong.