The Melbourne Cup field is set – these eight horses are the real contenders

The Melbourne Cup is just days away and we’re running out of time to study the form guide, tips and best bets for the 24-horse race that stops a nation. But after the field was set on Saturday there appears to be a crop of contenders that have elevated themselves above the pack – and there’s a distinct Irish flavour this year. But before the barrier draw, Tiger Moth was the clear favourite but drawing barrier 23, Anthony Van Dyck […]

October 31, 2020

Melbourne Cup 2020 tips, odds, horses, form guide, best bets

How to pick the Melbourne Cup winner? Sounds like the impossible task right? Follow the form, like a name or have lucky silk colours? We have asked out experts for their take on this year’s race. Happy punting. NICK QUINN THE BANKER $100 the win AIN’TNODEELDUN (Flemington Race 5, No.2) A lovely progressive three-year-old who followed a five-length win at Sale with an emphatic Morphettville victory last start. Connections decided to take the softer path and contest this race instead […]

October 30, 2020

‘Wake-up call’: Should Australia’s cricketers take the knee?

Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Michael Holding is adamant Australia's men should take the knee – not just once but for every game. Josh Lalor is not so sure. Mel Jones says discussions with those who come face to face with racism also matter. It's a small sample size but indicative of the whirlpool of ideas Australian cricket is navigating in recognising the Black Lives Matter movement and […]

October 30, 2020

Boom batsman Cameron Green was out cheaply as stalwart Shaun Marsh went big again for Western Australia

Whether you consider Cameron Bancroft to be the leading sandpapergate villain, or a callow youngster led astray by others, there’s no disputing his rotten luck. Six from seven innings last season Bancroft was caught in an arc from the keeper to square leg. It happened again on Friday, and this was the most bizarre of the lot. Defending a short-of-a-length ball in the vicinity of off-stump, Bancroft somehow sent it flying to Jake Doran at backward square leg. He played […]

October 30, 2020

Bennett stripped of Vuelta stage win after bumping rival

Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Irish sprinter Sam Bennett was stripped of his victory on the 157km ninth stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Thursday after hitting a rival with his shoulder in the final sprint. German Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) was given the stage win instead for his third Grand Tour victory, and first in the Vuelta. Gerben Thijssen (Lotto Soudal) moved up to second place and […]

October 30, 2020

Williams aims for seventh Melbourne Cup triumph

Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Melbourne Cup is traditionally party time for all of Victoria – a public holiday for a race day steeped in the lore, history and culture of the state. But the man who is nowadays most associated with the great race, owner Lloyd Williams, has for years eschewed the fun, frivolities and festivities at Flemington, watching the event and its build up in splendid […]

October 29, 2020

Dermot Weld: Tarnawa has "serious chance" in Breeders Cup Turf

Dual Group 1 winner Tarnawa has a "serious chance" of winning the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, Dermot Weld believes. The trainer has chosen the 1m 4f contest over the Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf for the four-year-old, last seen taking the Prix de l'Opera on October 4. Weld, the only European trainer to have an American Triple Crown triumph on his CV, is seeking his first success on the November 7 card. He said Tarnawa “unquestionably” represents his best […]

October 29, 2020

Magic Wand retired in Australia

Magic Wand has been retired to stud after a foot abscess scuppered her planned campaign in Australia. The Aidan O’Brien-trained five-year-old was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s Cox Plate due to the issue and the handler’s team has been unable to drain the abscess over the last few days. Magic Wand had been due to defend the Mackinnon Stakes title she won last November, but that plan has been abandoned and O’Brien’s travelling foreman, TJ Comerford, confirmed she will […]

October 29, 2020

Presenting Percy takes Down Royal test

Presenting Percy is set to face eight rivals as he has his first run for trainer Gordon Elliott in the Grade One Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal. Owner Philip Reynolds switched his star from Pat Kelly’s stable after the nine-year-old’s winless last campaign ended with a fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Presenting Percy has not won over fences since showing his class in the RSA Chase at the 2018 Festival. He will have a new rider in Denis […]

October 29, 2020

Import can Sound Gold Cup warning

New arrival Sound Of Cannons has form around some of Europe’s best young talent but trainer John O’Shea is keeping his expectations in check ahead of his Aussie debut in Saturday’s Kypreos Group Rosehill Gold Cup. Sound Of Cannons has only been in O’Shea’s stable for a matter of weeks after having his last race in England on July 29. The son of Nathaniel arrives with a placing in Listed grade to his name behind future Group 1 St Leger […]

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