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  • Extended Australian Open to serve up Sunday start

    Organizers of the Australian Open have announced the 2024 tournament will go for an extended 15 days, starting on a Sunday in a bid to limit late-night matches.

    The Australian Open will start on a Sunday in 2024, becoming a 15-day event in a bid to reduce the pressure on players and fans of late-night finishes.

    Calls have been growing to limit the finish times in a crowded schedule at the season-opening grand slam event in Melbourne.

    Five-time finalist Andy Murray this year played a near six-hour, five-set marathon against Thanasi Kokkinakis that did not reach its conclusion until past 4am, the former world No.1 describing the finish time as “ridiculously late”.

    The 2024 tournament has been scheduled to run from January 14-28.

    The Sunday start will increase the number of sessions on Melbourne Park’s three showpiece courts – Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena – from 47 to 52.

    Day sessions on Rod Laver and Margaret Court will feature a minimum of two matches, rather than three as previously, to limit the potential for late finishes.

    Night sessions will continue to feature a minimum of two matches.

    Tournament director Craig Tiley said the changes had come about after listening to feedback from players and fans to limit late finishes.

    “The additional day will achieve this, benefiting scheduling for fans and players alike,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

    “The first round will now be played over three days instead of two.”

  • Socceroos playmaker Tom Rogic announces retirement

    Socceroos playmaker Tom Rogic has retired and says he and his wife’s fertility issues and a desire to focus on his family were a key factor.

    Talismanic Socceroo Tom Rogic has retired from football to focus on his family.

    Rogic, one of the most talented Socceroos in recent years who also starred for Scottish powerhouse Celtic, has called time after scoring 10 goals in 53 internationals between 2012 and 2022.

    The intensely private Canberran opened up on he and his wife’s struggles with fertility before welcoming their daughter in 2021, and with twins due next year, they have returned to Australia to focus on raising their family.

    “After careful consideration I have made the decision to retire from professional football,” Rogic said in a statement posted to Instagram.

    “I have always been rather private with things in my personal life but I feel given the significance, I think it is important for people to understand why and how I have made my decision.

    “Throughout the past seven years, my wife and I have been on an immensely challenging journey with fertility issues.

    “After years of trying and many failed rounds of IVF, my wife and I were fortunate enough to welcome the birth of our daughter in 2021. I have loved every minute of being a dad and consider it my greatest achievement in life.

    “After experiencing some more struggles and heartache with fertility treatment, we have recently received the amazing news that our family is growing and we will be expecting twins in 2024.

    “Given our past and how hard we have fought for this, along with the challenges that will come with having twins and a two year old, now seems like the right time to give my focus and attention to what is the most important thing in my life – my family.”

    The 30-year-old last played for Australia in a World Cup qualifier against Oman in 2022, but withdrew before the play-offs for personal reasons.

    He was left out of Australia’s squad for the Qatar World Cup and hasn’t featured since.

    Rogic missed the 2014 World Cup through injury and was one of the final omissions from the 2018 tournament, though he starred at the 2019 Asian Cup.

    The former futsal player started his career at Central Coast Mariners, winning the A-League premiership before moving to Scotland and later had a short loan stint at Melbourne Victory.

    He won 16 trophies at Celtic but most recently played for West Bromwich Albion, who released him in May after a short and difficult stay.

  • Cleary adds to legacy with second Clive Churchill Medal

    Nathan Cleary’s name has been etched among the greats with a man-of-the-match performance in Penrith’s 26-24 grand final defeat of Brisbane.

    Nathan Cleary has etched his name in the pantheon of great NRL halfbacks, winning a second Clive Churchill Medal and third premiership – all before the age of 26.

    In Penrith’s defeat of Brisbane at Accor Stadium on Sunday, the halfback masterminded the biggest comeback in grand final history.

    He set two tries up and scored one to help Penrith claw back from 24-8 down after 62 minutes, to 26-24 up at the final whistle.

    The performance cemented Cleary’s status as one of the great modern playmakers, and dispelled the narrative that he goes missing in games.

    Cleary has now won more grand finals than either Andrew Johns or Jonathan Thurston and is the first halfback since Peter Sterling to win three premierships before the age of 26.

    Having won the Clive Churchill Medal after the first of Penrith’s three consecutive title wins, Cleary is only the third man to have won the Clive Churchill Medal more than once.

    He joins Bradley Clyde and Billy Slater in an elite club.

    “I just feel like what he’s done in this space of time, there’s been no other halfback that has done it,” said Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo.

    “I reckon if you put his statistics up against any other halfback at this point, he’s 25, no-one’s done what he’s done.

    “That 20-minute period he put the team on his back and he won us our third grand final in a row. I’m very happy he’s our leader and he’s our seven. It’s a privilege to play with him.”

    Cleary described Sunday’s game as the most difficult of his career.

    “It honestly doesn’t feel real right now,” Cleary said.

    “To the Broncos boys, absolute beast team, very young.

    “Thanks for that game, it’s the hardest game I’ve ever played. To our boys, it’s nothing but love. We’ve worked so hard for this and we’re still just getting started.”

    For his first assist, Cleary dummied past Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam and burst away down the right edge before finding prop Moses Leota on the inside.

    He kicked a 40/20 in the set after points to keep the pressure on, and then threw the last pass to Stephen Crichton to bring the margin to only four points.

    Cleary capped his night off by stepping inside a hole in the final four minutes and sealing victory with a try of his own.

    He kicked a perfect five from five goals and ran for 162 metres, the third-most of any Panther.

  • Amelia’s Jewel off to the Toorak Handicap

    Amelia’s Jewel, trained by Simon Miller and holding an impressive record of 11: 9-2-0, is poised to compete in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.

    Owner Peter Walsh confirmed, “We’re definitely going to the Toorak, I spoke to Simon a few minutes ago, so that’s locked in.”

    This comes after her successful debut in Melbourne and a comfortable win in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes at The Valley, enhancing her reputation.

    “Damian Lane gave me his opinion yesterday, so we’re definitely going to Caulfield as long as we don’t get too much weight,” Walsh added.

    She is priced at $4 in this year’s Cox Plate odds, only shorter than Hong Kong’s champion Romantic Warrior ($3.60).

    Decisions regarding her racing in the Cox Plate (2040m) or the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney will be determined post-Toorak.

    “Simon said ‘why do we have to make a decision now? Let’s just wait and see how she goes in The Toorak, see how the internationals go,’” shared Walsh, leaning toward the Golden Eagle but mentioning, “there’s no need to rush into a decision.”

  • Hong Kong racing season is upon us!

    Hong Kong: A Global Hub for Thoroughbred Racing

    Hong Kong has solidified its status as a top international hub for thoroughbred racing, attracting world-class talent to events like the Hong Kong Cup and the Hong Kong Derby, hosted at its iconic racecourses, Happy Valley and Sha Tin.

    Horse racing in Hong Kong traces its roots to the 1840s when the British introduced the sport during the colony’s inception. Happy Valley Racecourse was established in 1845 and became the epicenter of racing on the island, with even rice cultivation being banned to make room for it!

    Hong Kong’s racing scene has drawn foreign trainers and jockeys, notably Australians like John Moore and John Size. Homegrown talents, such as Ricky Yiu and Tony Cruz, have also made their mark.

    The Hong Kong Jockey Club, founded in 1959 and granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth II, oversees and regulates racing, holding a monopoly on pari-mutuel betting and contributing significantly to the community.

    Highlighting the calendar is Hong Kong International Races Day, featuring prestigious Group 1 races like the Hong Kong Cup. Other events include the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and the Hong Kong Derby, showcasing the city’s commitment to elite racing.

    Hong Kong’s dynamic racing scene has evolved into a global powerhouse, with iconic venues, prestigious races, and a thriving betting culture, making it a must-visit destination for racing enthusiasts and a stage where champions are crowned!

  • Massive interest this weekend on a G1 day at Caulfield

    We should get a nice guide to the G1 Caulfield Cup on Saturday with two very important lead up races on a strong day of racing.

    The main race is the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) with a full field likely to make this a cracking betting race.

    Without A Fight ($3.50) will be a huge focus of attention off his excellent Queensland Winter. But he will plenty of company with G1 winners such as Lindermann ($11), Duais ($15), Alligator Blood ($4.50) and Smokin’ Romans ($26) just some of the contenders. Tack on Pinstriped ($15) and Soulcombe ($11) and you have a quality contest in store.

    That other race with ramifications is the G3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) and we’ll see horses with Cups hopes looking for qualifying entry here. Mr Waterville, First Immortal, Berkeley Square and others chase spots while some already into the futures are Right You Are and Goldman.

    The G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) will give a nice indication of some of the chances in a few weeks. Saltcoats ($15) (if he runs here), Steparty ($2.80), Veight ($4.50) and Scentify ($11) are all big players.

    Promising sprinters will line up in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) with some potentially moving around the states looking for big pay days. Amenable and Nunthorpe are two of those as they are down to take on the older brigade including St Lawrence and Here To Shock.

    The Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) is the final stakes race on the day and some fillies can make big improvement like Amazonian Lass and Miracle Of Love.

    Racing and Sports

  • Charmed draw for Golden Rose raider

    Tuesday, September 19, 2023

    Charm Stone, the lone filly and only Melbourne based horse has drawn barrier one in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m).

    Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr are looking for back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and will saddle up the lone filly in the race with Charm Stone drawing the inside gate at Rosehill.

    Only one filly has won the Golden Rose and never in its traditional place in the Spring with Forensics winning in the Autumn of 2008 due to an equine influenza outbreak delaying some races.

    Horses drawn barrier one over the Rosehill 1400m win 12.5% of races on average, 2% higher than the next best barrier, with Kent Jnr confirming that regular jockey Damian Lane will make the trip to Sydney to ride the I Am Invincible filly.

    Speaking on Sky Radio, Kent Jnr said it was business as usual for the filly at home and expects her to handle both the rise in trip and grade.

    “She pulled up very well from that run, she was squealing, licking her bin… she didn’t really know she’d gone around,” Kent Jnr said.

    Her main bit of work was Saturday morning, she sat off Laced Up heels, they went four-three, Sydney way on the grass and she worked brilliantly… she pulled up beautifully, scoped up clean… hopefully she travels well and takes to her new surrounds nicely.”

    Both Jacquinot and Charm Stone tackled the Golden Rose at their sixth start and while Jacquinot was a colt, Kent Jnr said he and Charm Stone aren’t too dissimilar.

    “Clearly Jaciquinot’s a Group One horse and I think this filly is a Group One horse in the making, she’s got a beautiful temperament, she’s got big, long strides and she can maintain a long run,” Kent Jnr said.

    “I can’t help be scared of the opposition here, Shinzo has been trialling so well, I think Cylinder’s ready to explode and even Gary Portelli’s horse Encap was very good so I think it’ll be a very strong race and she’ll obviously be the first filly to win it if she does,” Kent Jnr said.

    Cylinder (barrier 4) holds the call with TAB at $4 from Shinzo (10) at $5 and King Colorado (9) at $7. Charm Stone (1) is on the fourth line of betting at $7.50 ahead of Militarize (2) and Encap (3) at $10.

    Reference: Racing and Sports

  • Cox Plate leaning for Amelia’s Jewel

    Owner Peter Walsh set a cat amongst the pigeons when he threw Everest plans into the melting pot for his star mare Amelia’s Jew

    On the eve of her interstate kick off at Flemington, Walsh sent social media into a frenzy and gave trainer Simon Miller conniptions.

    Up until that stage the only discussion points for Amelia’s Jewel, publicly anyhow, was the tug of war between Melbourne and Sydney.

    Would the Walsh camp target the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley or travel up the highway and go for the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill?

    The Everest speculation created media fodder for a few hours, but by Saturday night in the afterglow of Amelia’s Jewel’s Let’s Elope victory, they were shut down.

    Walsh was back on point, declaring no decision will be made until Amelia’s Jewel gets her first sighting of Moonee Valley in Friday week’s Stock Stakes (1600m).

    The Group 2 race is to be the fork in the road for Amelia’s Jewel, but on Melbourne radio this morning (Monday) Walsh gave a clue of what is likely to come.

    “To be honest, if she gets around Moonee Valley well in a fortnight’s time, between Simon and myself, there is nothing like a Cox Plate, is there,” Walsh said.

    “Melbourne is a great place and is the headquarters of racing as far as I’m concerned.

    “It’s a great buzz in Melbourne, Moonee Valley on a Friday night and the grand final Saturday, what a great weekend, you know.

    “As I’ve said, the Cox Plate is the race that everybody wants to win, isn’t it.”

    Amelia’s Jewel has been the darling of WA racing since her scorching two-year-old season, but Walsh has been blown away by the interest in Melbourne.

    “The support there has been fantastic,” Walsh said.

    “It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling that so many people are interested in the horse.

    “I feel very, very lucky.”

    Racing and Sports

  • A Legendary Test of Seamanship and Adventure “Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race”

    Hobart Yacht Race Route Map

    The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is an exhilarating and challenging sailing event that captivates the world’s attention. Spanning approximately 628 nautical miles from Sydney Harbour to Hobart, Tasmania, this iconic race combines the awe-inspiring power of the ocean with the skills and determination of skilled sailors. In this blog, we embark on a thrilling journey into the world of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, exploring its history, the grueling racecourse, and the enduring spirit of adventure that drives participants and ignites the imagination of sailing enthusiasts worldwide.

    A Legendary Ocean Challenge: The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is renowned as one of the world’s toughest offshore sailing challenges. Starting on Boxing Day, this annual race pushes sailors to their limits, testing their seamanship, strategy, and physical endurance as they navigate treacherous seas and unpredictable weather conditions. Only the most skilled and courageous sailors dare to take on this ultimate test of sailing prowess.

    The Spectacular Racecourse: The racecourse from Sydney to Hobart encompasses the stunning beauty of the Australian coastline and the unpredictable waters of the Bass Strait. Sailors face a multitude of challenges, including strong winds, large swells, and potential encounters with marine wildlife. The demanding conditions demand constant vigilance and skillful navigation, making every mile a true test of mental and physical strength.

    Rich History and Tradition: Since its inception in 1945, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has built a rich tapestry of history and tradition. Each year, a fleet of diverse yachts, ranging from classic wooden vessels to state-of-the-art racing machines, participate in the race, showcasing the evolution of sailing technology. The race’s storied past is filled with incredible moments, memorable triumphs, and enduring rivalries that have captured the imagination of sailing enthusiasts worldwide.

    Spirit of Adventure and Camaraderie: The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race embodies the spirit of adventure, teamwork, and camaraderie that is intrinsic to the world of sailing. Crew members must work together in harmony, relying on their expertise and trust in each other to navigate the challenges of the race. The shared experiences, shared hardships, and the bonds formed during this incredible journey create lifelong friendships and memories that endure far beyond the race itself.

    A Celebration of Maritime Heritage: The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race not only celebrates the pursuit of adventure but also pays homage to Australia’s rich maritime heritage. It showcases the country’s affinity for the sea, its adventurous spirit, and its deep-rooted connection to sailing. The race serves as a reminder of the explorers and adventurers who braved the waters before, forging paths and pushing boundaries to discover new horizons.

    The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is a true testament to the indomitable spirit of sailors who embrace the challenges of the open ocean. This legendary race combines breathtaking natural beauty, intense competition, and the unwavering pursuit of adventure. As the yachts set sail on this epic journey, they embody the essence of human determination and the timeless allure of the sea. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race will continue to inspire generations of sailors and capture the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide, forever etching its place as a pinnacle of maritime excellence and seafaring adventure.

  • Boxing Day Test: A Cricket Tradition Steeped in Excitement

    boxing-day-test

    The Boxing Day Test holds a special place in the hearts of cricket fans around the world. As a cherished tradition in Australia, this iconic match brings together intense competition, unwavering passion, and a festive atmosphere. Held annually on the day after Christmas at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Boxing Day Test serves as a thrilling showcase of the sport’s rich history and enduring spirit. In this blog, we delve into the captivating world of the Boxing Day Test, exploring its significance, traditions, and the indelible memories it creates

    A Historic Fixture: The Boxing Day Test is a long-standing tradition that dates back to 1950. It holds immense importance in the cricket calendar, symbolizing the pinnacle of summer cricket in Australia. Taking place at the iconic MCG, which boasts a capacity of over 100,000 spectators, this match attracts a diverse array of fans who come together to witness a battle of skills, strategy, and resilience.

    The Festive Spirit: The Boxing Day Test carries a unique festive atmosphere that sets it apart from other cricket matches. It serves as a post-Christmas gathering for families and friends, who flock to the MCG to indulge in cricketing action while enjoying the holiday season. The stadium buzzes with excitement as fans bring along their picnics, don their team colors, and engage in spirited banter, creating a joyous and inclusive ambiance.

    Legendary Rivalries and Memorable Performances: The Boxing Day Test has witnessed some of cricket’s most memorable moments and remarkable individual performances. From thrilling run-chases to extraordinary batting feats, the match has provided a stage for cricketing heroes to etch their names in history. Iconic rivalries between Australia and various touring teams have unfolded at the Boxing Day Test, intensifying the spectacle and captivating audiences with their fierce contests.

    The Iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground: The MCG, with its hallowed turf and impressive architecture, forms the backdrop for the Boxing Day Test. As one of the world’s largest cricket stadiums, it offers an awe-inspiring setting for the match. The stadium’s rich heritage, dating back to 1853, adds to the sense of occasion, while its vast capacity ensures an incredible atmosphere that reverberates with the cheers and chants of passionate fans.

    A Celebration of Cricketing Traditions: The Boxing Day Test upholds various cherished traditions that add to its allure. The playing of the National Anthem, the delivery of the first ball by a distinguished guest, and the unveiling of banners and flags by supporters are just a few of the customs that enhance the match’s sense of occasion. The iconic ‘Bay 13’ spectator area, known for its boisterous atmosphere, further adds to the unique experience of the Boxing Day Test.

    The Boxing Day Test embodies the essence of cricketing tradition, uniting fans in a celebration of the sport’s heritage and camaraderie. From its historic significance to the electric atmosphere at the MCG, this match encapsulates the spirit of summer cricket in Australia. For both devoted cricket enthusiasts and casual spectators, attending the Boxing Day Test is a chance to be part of something truly special—a showcase of skill, passion, and the timeless magic of the game. So, grab your cricket bat, put on your favorite team jersey, and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of the Boxing Day Test.