Matthew Dunn believes his lightly campaigned three-year-old, Silent Thinker, possesses the attributes for future Saturday racing success, but for the immediate future, smaller victories are the priority.

The gelding is set to participate in his third race, the Barrier Reef Pools Handicap (1350m) at Ipswich on Friday, with the aim of securing consecutive wins. He recently broke his maiden status with a dominant all-the-way victory at the same track earlier this month. This followed a debut third at the Gold Coast, and Dunn has observed further progress in the horse since his initial start.

“We had to ride him really aggressively last start from a bad barrier and it’s probably not the way to ride him. He’s drawn a bit better on Friday,” Dunn revealed. “I think he’s a decent horse. He’s got a good future, and he’ll get out over a bit further yet. If he can get up to a mile, which I think he will, he’s a Saturday horse for sure. His pedigree suggests he will.”

Silent Thinker, acquired for $50,000 from Inglis’ December online sale, is a son of the reputable sire So You Think and a mare by Fusaichi Pegasus. Ben Thompson, who rode him to victory last start, will again take the reins, and Dunn expects his charge to be the one to beat.

“He’s doing a good job, and he will be hard to beat again. He was good last start,” he commented. Also featuring in the race is Exceed Perfection, a former Sydney galloper now trained by Chris and Corey Munce. This five-year-old, in his first run for the stable, has only one win from 23 starts, but has achieved 10 placings, proving to be a consistent performer in NSW provincial racing. Despite a difficult barrier draw in 13, he carries a competitive weight thanks to apprentice Courtney Bellamy’s two-kilogram claim.

Get involved with the racing betting markets for this Ipswich contest at your preferred betting sites.

The attitude is understandable. Goodburn is – astonishingly – is in the best shape of his life in swimming terms. He lowered the national record to 27.12 seconds in February and qualified fifth fastest for this.

New treatments – which he fought hard to be given access to – have slowed the growth of his tumours, and he recently graduated from Edinburgh University with a first in chemical engineering.

Ultimately, he finished joint seventh – “joint last” as he put it – and missed out on the 50m breaststroke medal he craved.

But this race and this week has been about so much more than podiums and plaudits for this remarkable young man from Edinburgh, who continues to fight not only his own brain cancer, but the impact of the disease on others.

“It’s pretty indescribable,” he told BBC Sport Scotland when asked what the past 24 hours have been like. “Usually the words flow easily, but I’m finding myself quite speechless.

“I was really trying to soak it up, because I didn’t feel like I really got much of a chance to do that after the semi. And the experience was everything I dreamed of and more. But the time, unfortunately, wasn’t there.”

These Games – and this summer – have been such a focus for Goodburn amid the darkness of the past two years, and he spoke afterwards about being eager to watch back the race and pour over his data as many athletes would.

He also talked about the support of his family and girlfriend Ciara Schlosshan, who competed for Scotland in the 100m butterfly just five minutes before he did.

But not many swimmers – standing wrapped in a towel, goggles strapped to their head and wearing just their jammers – would talk so passionately and eruditely about ensuring brain cancer research is properly resourced.

Team-mate Duncan Scott called him “inspirational” and no wonder.

“I was thinking today, the goal was to make the final, and the dream was to win a medal,” Goodburn said. “That dream didn’t come true, but one of my other dreams is that we see a future where brain cancer isn’t the biggest killer of patients under 40.

“I advocate to try and extend my own life, but also for the other young patients and adults going through what I’m going through.

“With everything that’s going on with my health, it’s been difficult to think ‘why am I here? Am I here to advocate as a patient advocate, or am I here to just be a professional athlete?’ And it’s kind of turned into a bit of both.

“I wonder how I’m going to feel off the back of this. But I know that I’m going to have memories to last a lifetime.”

As Sydney’s final Saturday metropolitan race meeting of the current term concludes, a new cohort of carnival-bound horses will make their presence felt in barrier trials at Rosehill, signalling their ramped-up preparations for their seasonal comebacks.

Among the notable contenders expected to grace Friday’s session are the Australian Derby winner Green Spaces, the distinguished Queen Of The Turf Stakes heroine Idle Flyer, and the accomplished Flight Stakes victor Apocalyptic.

These three will vie for supremacy in the inaugural 900m Group Trial, a heat that also features the promising filly Savvy Hallie. Savvy Hallie delivered a stellar performance, narrowly missing the win against Everest runner-up Tempted in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) in February.

She was subsequently sent for a spell after concluding her preparation outside the placings in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) against older mares. Trainer Brad Widdup concluded that she had reached the limit of her campaign and her optimal distance range.

“It was probably too far, and one run too many,” Widdup commented.

“She is only starting to fill into herself now, so I still think the autumn next year might be her time. She’s still developing, but she’s done well this time in.

“We’ll see what happens, but hopefully she can be our flag bearer.”

The capable Savvy Hallie will be guided by her regular jockey Nash Rawiller during Friday’s trial. The rising four-year-old mare is scheduled for another trial next month prior to her anticipated resumption at Randwick on August 22.

“She’ll trial twice, then there’s the Toy Show (Quality) and Show County (Quality) on the same day, so she’ll probably head to one of them,” Widdup confirmed.

Stable companion Jedibeel, a runner-up in The Galaxy, is still some time away from a competitive return to the racetrack. This follows a successful surgical procedure undertaken after his appearance in The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot in April.

The horse was eased out of the race in the straight, and subsequent veterinary assessments indicated an elevated heart rate and cough, alongside traces of blood found in his trachea.

“He had to have throat surgery after Perth, but he’s not far off,” Widdup stated.

“He has healed really well. Hopefully we will get him back late spring. We’ll just get him fit and work it out from there.”

Among the other noteworthy participants at the Rosehill trials will be the Canonbury Stakes winner Hidrix and the filly Chilly Girl, who recorded a decisive victory in the Widden Stakes before an unfortunate setback sidelined her for the autumn carnival.

Compare betting markets for the race from leading bookmakers.

In the minds of many, the Minnesota Vikings have already decided who is going to start at quarterback: veteran newcomer Kyler Murray. If that is indeed the case, then the Vikings’ GM may have some explaining to do, at least if J.J. McCarthy has a noticeably better August.

Nolan Teasley chatted with KFAN’s Paul Allen in June. The conversation — a rite of passage for anyone prominent within the world of Minnesota Vikings football — predictably swerved into the quarterback competition that got started prior to Teasley being hired. After noting the “talent” and “upside,” Teasley said that the battle is a true meritocracy: “may the best man win.” The simple, offhand comment could become very important if the competition goes in a certain direction.

The Vikings’ GM: Let the Best QB Win

There is, at least to a certain extent, some silliness in the conversation here. What’s the executive supposed to say other than that the better of the pair will get the top job?

The NFL markets itself as a place where talent wins. A lot of the time, that reflects reality, but it’s not always so. The National Football League is a business above all, meaning that money gets the final say. More often than not, those two ambitions — stacking piles of cash and featuring talent — converge, but that’s not always so. Sometimes, strategic decisions get made that aren’t about winning.

Consider, for instance, what took place in Arizona last year. Some insisted that there was a soft benching taking place with Murray allowed to remain away from his starter’s position in the name of injury recovery. Rolling out a tank commander to drive down the record was considered better for a Cardinals team that was keen to earn a very high draft choice.

In Minnesota, the likeliest scenario features a Week 1 game where Mr. Murray is the QB1. That’s not a locked-in reality, though. All of Kevin O’Connell, Nolan Teasley, Justin Jefferson, and others have proclaimed this a true competition.

Is that actually so? A lot of people don’t buy it.

One way of measuring the veracity of the consistent claim is to witness the competition that has yet to begin. Where the purple rubber would meet the golden road is if J.J. McCarthy is clearly and decisively better. That’s a possible, albeit unlikely, path that would feature no shortage of intrigue.

Murray, per the common wisdom, was brought to town to start. Would he really accept living as the QB2 for a year of his prime? Some don’t think so.

But then there’s the danger in demoting a McCarthy who shows to the coaching staff, teammates, and fans that he’s more deserving of being the starter. Doing so before then being bumped down the depth chart could lead to some tough questions about how legitimate the competition was in the first place (which is to say nothing of the speculated McCarthy mutiny).

Consider some basic facts to step off of the shaky ground that is speculation:

• J.J. McCarthy was chosen at No. 10 overall in 2024 to be MIN’s franchise passer.
• J.J. McCarthy had battled a ton of injuries and has played poorly overall.
• Kyler Murray is coming off a disappointing time as the Cardinals’ QB1 but boasts insane talent and is in the prime of his career.
• The Vikings’ GM has indicated that whoever is better will be the starter. So have coaches and players.

Orbiting around these basic facts are the whims and fancies of the masses of Minnesota onlookers. The online orthodoxy can be tossed to and fro but God help you if you get onto the wrong side of it on any particular day. People feel strongly about their perspective, declaring it so vociferously that to disagree is paramount to proclaiming one’s idiocy.

Forced to guess, I’d say that most think Murray is inevitable. Minnesota is paying lip service to the idea of competition but this one is already in the books.

Where things would get fascinating is if J.J. McCarthy clearly and decisively proves to be the most promising QB1. Seeing that possibility turn into a reality isn’t super likely but can’t be outright dismissed. Seeing that possibility turn into reality would force the decision makers to back up what has long been promised: may the best man win.

The Vikings are moving into a 2026 season that’s trying to bridge the old with the new, made evident in the Vikings’ GM decisions (firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah before hiring Nolan Teasley). Moreover, there’s the quarterback competition as a reminder that Minnesota is open to at least a partial franchise reset.

Vikings rookies arrived at TCO yesterday for training camp. The vets arrive tomorrow. Soon enough, Murray and McCarthy will compete in front of the masses.

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

Joseph O’Brien landed the day one feature at the Galway Races, the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap with Comfort Zone (18/1).

Carrying the colours of J.P. McManus, the Derek O’Connor-ridden seven-year-old hadn’t performed in the race last season, but produced a battling display on Monday evening.

Dublin handler Bill Durkan provided both the runner-up Holy See (40/1) and the fourth-place finisher Eagle Fang (13/2). The former, who had won at Gowran on his penultimate outing, was three-quarters-of-a-length behind the winner.

Galway specialist Teed Up (14/1), who has won four flat races and two hurdles contests at the Ballybrit venue was third, a half-length ahead of Eagle Fang in fourth.

O’Brien double

O’Brien quickly doubled up in the following race when Dylan Browne McMonagle guided the 13/8 favourite to a four-and-a-quarter length success. The bay daughter of Saxon Warrior, who was 16lbs well in after a Listed win at Naas in June, never looked in danger when heads turned for home in the straight.

Expert Dancer and Sam Coen (11/1) gave trainer Andy Slattery the runner-up spot, while Motta Alta (13/2) was third for yesterday’s German Group 1-winning combination of Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington.

Witches Familiar wins Novice Hurdle

As expected the two powerhouses of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot were to the fore in the opening Galmont Hotel & Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle – the opener of the 2026 Galway Races Summer Festival.

It was the former, with his French import Witches Familiar (13/8 favourite), who took the 5.10pm race as the Ballinrobe maiden hurdle winner in May ran out a ready eight-and-a-half length winner in the hands of Paul Townend.

Another French-bred, Mino Des Mottes (8/1), from the Elliot yard, and ridden by Jack Kennedy, was runner-up, and Arouet (7/1), with Daniel King in the saddle, competed a trifecta for horses bred in France, coming home four-and-three-quarter lengths further back.

Timurshah completes hat-trick

Aidan Melia’s son of Mastercraftsman, Timurshah (12/1) completed a hat-trick of wins when taking the Easyfix Iggy Daly Handicap Hurdle. Ridden by seven-pound claimer Conor Smithers, the five-year-old, who had won this season at Clonmel and Sligo, had six-and-a-half lengths to spare over Whats New (10/1) and Darragh O’Keeffe at the line. Soldante (15/2) and Eoghan Finegan were three-and-three-quarter lengths behind the Andy Slattery-handled Soldier’s Call gelding.

Trean (11/4), in the colours of the Red Lily Racing Syndicate, ran out a four-and-three-quarter length victor in the Eventus Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden for Billy Lee and Paddy Twomey.

A disappointing tenth of 12 runners behind Abraham Lincoln on Dubai Duty Free Irish Weekend at The Curragh, the juvenile son of Ballylinch Stud’s Bayside Boy was prominent behind the pacesetter, City Of Gold (7/1) throughout, before scooting clear prior to the final bend. The Wayne Lordan-ridden City Of Gold, from Ballydoyle, was second, with another Aidan O’Brien inmate HMAS Perth (12/1) third. The Joseph O’Brien-handled favourite, One Number (5/2), disappointed to finish back in fifth place.

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Adam Ramsay-Peaty maintained that winning is no longer everything after he was forced to settle for a second bronze medal in the men’s 50 metres breaststroke final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Two days after cutting an emotional figure after his third-placed finish in his favoured 100m, Ramsay-Peaty cut a much more composed figure as he stressed that a shift in priorities is essential if he is to stay focused heading deeper into the 2028 Olympics cycle.

Watched once again by his pregnant wife Holly Ramsay from the stands, Peaty failed to haul his way back from a slow start and finished in a time of 26.94 seconds, well off Australia’s Sam Williamson, who won in 26.50, with Michael Houlie of South Africa taking silver.

“Super power looks very different now,” said Ramsay-Peaty.

His former extraordinary dominance has dimmed in recent years, following a year out in 2023 to prioritise his mental health, and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.

“Juggling babies with milk and having a toddler around is a different super power,” added Ramsay-Peaty, who has a five-year-old son from a previous relationship.

“I’ve still got that mentality – we just have to approach it very differently. I’ve been that person who wins all the time and it costs you pretty much everything and I wouldn’t say it’s worth it now.

“I think for me that period of time when I was undefeated for eight years, it was athlete first, then human. Now it’s human first, then athlete, which is a very fair price to pay.”

Ramsay-Peaty had vowed to put a “battle plan” in place after finishing third over the longer distance on Saturday, but he looked somewhat less than combative through the heats and qualified third for the final, behind Houlie and Williamson, the 100m gold medallist.

Despite winning three individual world titles, Ramsay-Peaty has never been able to assert his authority to such a degree over the shorter distance. He twice finished runner-up to Cameron van den Burgh at the Commonwealth Games before finally reaching the top of the podium in Birmingham in 2022, two days after a shock fourth place over 100m.

The addition of the 50m breaststroke event to the swimming programme for the Los Angeles Games has been cited as one of the reasons for Ramsay-Peaty’s decision to pursue at least one more Olympic cycle – but it remains to be seen whether he will consider it a price worth paying.