Brief news from around the world
RACING: Aidan O'Brien has opened the way for this season's top-rated juvenile George Washington to possibly have one more race this season in Saturday's Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, writes Brian O'Connor.
The Ballydoyle trainer yesterday reported that both George Washington and his other star two-year-old, Horatio Nelson, will be declared for the Group One contest at this morning's 48-hour declaration stage and that ground conditions will determine which of them runs
"If the going is good or better George Washington is likely to take part. But if it is easier Horatio Nelson is more likely to run," O'Brien said. Both horses dominate the ante-post betting for next year's classics with George Washington as low as 4 to 1 favourite for the 2,000 guineas.
CYCLING: Ireland rider David McCann rode to an excellent fifth place in the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Australia yesterday, sprinting in towards the head of the field at the end of the 172.6 kilometre stage to Marysville.
Eugene Moriarty also finished well, placing 12th behind the day's winner Baden Cooke of the Française des Jeux team. Cooke had been relegated to last on Tuesday's stage after accusations of dangerous sprinting. He successfully appealed that time loss, putting his anger to good use in taking his first stage win of the 2005 race on what was his 27th birthday. Australian Sean Sullivan continues to lead overall, with McCann 44 seconds back in 25th place. Details in Sports Round-Up
SHOW JUMPING: Jessica Kurten has been quoted at 20 to 1 for the $1million Las Vegas Invitational, which kicks off tomorrow. Kurten, currently sixth in the world rider rankings, is the sole Irish representative at this new fixture on the international calendar, writes Grania Willis.
American-born German Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum is the 2 to 1 favourite to take the honours in Saturday's $750,000 Grand Prix. Rodrigo Pessoa, the Brazilian who took Cian O'Connor's forfeited Olympic gold medal, is second favourite at 3 to 1, with Britain's Nick Skelton quoted at 3 to 1.
Twenty-five of the world's top riders have been invited to compete at the $1 million show, which opens tomorrow.
