Latest news with #TheValley
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Oak Hill targets the 2025 Carlyon Stakes at The Valleyafter unbeaten Lindsay Park start
Phase two of Lindsay's Park's plan to build on the late Mike Moroney's work with the smart sprinter Oak Hill will occur in Saturday's Carlyon Stakes at The Valley. Oak Hill was one of a number of horses that moved into the Lindsay Park operation after the Melbourne Cup -winning trainer's sudden passing earlier this year along with Moroney's former right-hand man Anthony Feroce. Oak Hill is unbeaten in two starts for Ben, JD and Will Hayes, who have set the five-year-old for next month's Group 1 Moir Stakes over 1000m at The Valley. The son of Per Incanto won over the course when resuming in a Benchmark 100 race on August 9 to take his record to an imposing four wins and a second from five runs at the track. Oak Hill has constructed a terrific overall record of seven wins from 14 starts. JD Hayes said the New Zealand-bred sprinter was ready to graduate to stakes races, like several of the stable's acquisitions from the Moroney team. 'We're very lucky with these Ballymore horses that came to us,' Hayes said. 'Mike picked some very nice horses and we just got them at the right time as they have flourished into men. 'He's developed them and we feel like the coach that has just taken over a premiership side. 'Some of them are a bit like ruckmen, they have taken a bit longer, but they are really starting to blossom with maturity. 'Oak Hill is definitely one of those horses.' Oak Hill goes BANG ðŸ'¥ He's becoming a terrific sprinter! Blake Shinn with another pearlerðŸ'Œ @blake_shinn @lindsayparkrace — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) August 9, 2025 Oak Hill is one of 13 entries for the $175,000 Carylon Stakes, for which entries will now close on Tuesday morning. Last year's winner Mornington Glory is the highest rated of the nominations on 109 and will be much fitter for his first-up fifth behind Oak Hill. Group 2 -winning speedster Baraqiel could also resume in the Carlyon Stakes after he was scratched from the Bletchingly Stakes on vets' advice less than an hour before last month's Caulfield contest. A pair of interstate stables could target the Carlyon Stakes with Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan entering Golden Boom, who was narrowly beaten in last year's race, and Bjorn Baker nominating Disneck. Anthony and Sam Freedman nominated speedy mare Tonkin, the winner of three of her four starts to date, while Flemington trainer Simon Zahra could try his luck with last-start Valley winner Don't Hope Do. Zahra combined with former training partner Mathew Ellerton to win the 2016 Carlyon Stakes with the classy mare Heatherly, who went on to run third to Extreme Choice in that year's Moir Stakes.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watford talisman Kwadwo Baah can get the Hornets' campaign going against QPR
The roar from the away end at The Valley whenever Kwadwo Baah received possession in space spoke volumes. Watford supporters direct much of their optimistic energy towards Baah, a player barely on the radar 12 months ago and now approaching talisman status. The 22-year-old only played 35% of available minutes last season but the Hornets' most fruitful spells aligned with when he was at his best. But it was actually Baah's decisive influence on games that were not going Watford's way that highlighted his impact. The explosive winger won a late penalty at home to Sunderland, bagged the winner against Middlesbrough and brilliantly assisted equalisers at Hull and Cardiff to earn his team points that would not have materialised without him. More: Predicting Watford's starting line-up to play QPR on Saturday That ability to bend the game to his will is what Paulo Pezzolano could really do with a dollop of against QPR on Saturday, as he looks for the victory that can kickstart his reign at Vicarage Road. The head coach repeatedly makes clear that his team needs time and patience to show the best version of themselves over the course of the season. But while any major concern after just two losses – one of which was a narrow defeat from a promising display, the other set in motion by a very poor 45 minutes from what was largely a second string – is premature, it is clear the Uruguayan could do with a positive day to get the 2025/26 wheels turning. With his ability to turn water into wine, Baah can be the game-changer required. Baah was ultimately very well defended at Charlton – though still posed a threat, and perhaps should have set up the opener when he had Mamadou Doumbia waiting for a simple tap-in but pulled the ball back to Luca Kjerrumgaard instead. Against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, however, the electricity sorely lacking from Watford's performance was provided as soon as he was introduced in the 61st minute. Kwadwo Baah in training (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) Fewer than 10 minutes after coming on he had outstripped his full-back and scored, before continuing to provide the most likely route to an equaliser. Pezzolano said after the game: "He is a very explosive player. "We know his quality and that depending on the opposition we can position him on either side." That is a reference to Baah's cameo coming from the left flank, a position the winger told The Watford Observer he felt was his best earlier this summer because it increases his goal threat. Baah combines pace, strength and a fine control of the ball to terrorise full-backs on either wing. While he is a remarkably direct player, it is notable how rarely he runs the ball out of play, always seeming to win a corner at worst. His prowess is such that the Hornets would surely have gone close to securing a top-six finish had they had him in the side from January onwards last term, an absence that remains relevant to this season. Baah suffered a substantial tear to his thigh against Preston at the beginning of the year and sustained a recurrence on his starting comeback at Bristol City in April, a situation that needs managing as he builds his workload and because specifically his style may exacerbate it. Kwadwo Baah during his excellent 2024/25 season (Image: PA) He was withdrawn after an hour last week and Pezzolano was keen to stress on Tuesday that his side are not over-reliant on the forward. He said: "All teams have players that can make a difference. "We feel that KB [Baah] can be one of those players for us, but also Nestory [Irankunda] and [Giorgi] Chakvetadze, when he is available. "Then we have Luca [Kjerrumgaard], Vivaldo {Semedo]. We also have players down the middle like [Moussa] Sissoko and [Edo] Kayembe. Even the full-backs." If the Hornets are to put their first points of the season on the board on Saturday, though, it is clear who is most likely to do the damage.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
Jellycat thief who stole $2000-worth of plushies avoids jail time
A brazen thief who was filmed stuffing a £650 ($1347) Jellycat haul down her trousers has avoided jail after complaining about online abuse because the clip went viral. Samantha Lawrence stuffed a 'significant amount' of the trendy plushies from St Peter's Garden Centre, Worcester, into her trousers and bags. The 38-year-old was caught on CCTV helping herself to the incredibly popular soft toys from the shelves on June 7 this year, The Sun reported. As she snatched the toys - worth £655 ($1358) - she put them in shopping bags and crammed them down her trousers. The next day she struck The Valley shopping centre in Evesham, where she pinched Jellycats worth £121 ($250) She later returned to the same shopping centre where she stole a further £170 ($352) worth of the toys. The court heard that the footage of Ms Lawrence's Jellycat-snatching went viral online which caused her 'mental health to suffer'. Chris Aggri, defending, said she was on a cocktail of medication for her anxiety. 'She has been targeted on social media and her mental health has suffered as a result,' he said. 'She has learned her lesson and is deeply remorseful.' Ms Lawrence was recognised by the CCTV and police swooped on her home in Norton, Evesham, where officers found hundreds of stolen Jellycats. She admitted three counts of theft when she appeared at Worcester Magistrates' Court on Friday. Prosecutor Lauren Millichip told the court Lawrence had stolen Jellycats worth a total of £948.28 ($1966) 'Officers attended her address and found a quantity of Jellycats, some of these she said she had bought,' she said. 'She told officers she had gone into the stores with the intention of stealing the Jellycats.' Lawrence was ordered to pay compensation to the shops she stole from and fined £120 ($249) with a £48 ($100) victim surcharge. Chair of the bench, Caroline Taylor, said: 'We've listened to what's been said. The matters are serious, you have deliberately targeted the stores, one on two separate occasions. 'They are not insignificant amounts of money. You will pay compensation of £657.79 ($1364) to St Peter's and £292.49 ($607) to The Valley. 'We've taken into account your guilty plea, so a fine of £180 has been reduced to £120 ($249) due to that guilty plea. 'You will also pay a £48 ($100) victim surcharge.' The court heard Ms Lawrence was already working with the probation service and magistrates said they expected this to continue. Speaking at the time of the thefts, William Blake, managing director of St Peter's Garden Centre, said: 'We were deeply disappointed by the incident, where a significant amount of stock was stolen from our store. 'As an independent, family-run business, every loss impacts not just our shelves but the hardworking team behind the scenes. 'Our staff work tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors, and it's disheartening when that is taken advantage of.' Jellycats are uniquely shaped soft toys that are hugely popular right now, thanks to their quirky designs and super-soft material. Over the past year, the brand has experienced significant growth in popularity. As a result, there has been a major toy-snatching crime wave sweeping the UK - and fakes cropping up left right and centre. In April, The Gorge Bear Company in Cheddar, Somerset, was brutally ramraided by at least two thieves. They stole £20,000 ($41,466) worth of Jellycat soft toys in a bizarre night-time raid. This comes amid fears that organised groups of shoplifters are targeting Jellycat soft toys in order to resell them online for as much as £2,400 ($4975). And when Labubu toys also went viral, criminals began to target them owners have reported their keyrings being taken from their bags as they walk, and even their car windows being smashed in so thieves can get access to the plushies.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fullah impresses as 'superfan' Seb Lewis remembered
Ibrahim Fullah was the standout in Charlton Athletic's comfortable 3‑1 victory over League One side Stevenage in the Carabao Cup first round at The Valley on Tuesday. The 18‑year-old Lewisham-born midfielder made his full professional debut and scored Charlton's second goal in a slick academy-crafted move with Henry Rylah, reinforcing the club's reputation for nurturing talent. Fullah impressed throughout his 82‑minute outing, displaying maturity beyond his years with assured control and calm decision‑making. He executed his goal brilliantly, steering Rylah's cross firmly into the corner after evading the attentions of ex‑Addick loanee Chem Campbell and Jasper Pattenden. Keen-eyed Addicks will remember his lively cameo off the bench in the final game of the regular season before the play-offs, when he came on in the 85th minute against Burton Albion. Speaking afterwards, manager Nathan Jones lauded his energy and confidence, noting his "lack of fear—almost disrespect to the opposition", while stressing how he conducts himself respectfully off the pitch. "He can be a top footballer if he continues to work hard," Jones added. Stevenage's evening had an inauspicious start even before kick-off when their team bus struggled to navigate the tight entrance to The Valley, forcing manager Alex Revell to lead the players on a short walk to the dressing rooms. This tie took place on what would have been the 44th birthday of superfan Seb Lewis, who sadly passed away during Covid. Seb was enshrined as a club hero, with a mural at The Valley, for attending 1,076 consecutive matches, a 22-year run stretching back to February 1998. Ollie, his brother, recalled one of many anecdotes: when determined not to miss a behind-closed-doors friendly, he once hid from a distance at QPR's training ground near Heathrow! Always in our hearts. Latest Charlton Athletic news, analysis and fan views Listen to Charlton Athletic content on BBC Sounds
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Fullah impresses as 'superfan' Seb Lewis remembered
Ibrahim Fullah was the standout in Charlton Athletic's comfortable 3‑1 victory over League One side Stevenage in the Carabao Cup first round at The Valley on 18‑year-old Lewisham-born midfielder made his full professional debut and scored Charlton's second goal in a slick academy-crafted move with Henry Rylah, reinforcing the club's reputation for nurturing impressed throughout his 82‑minute outing, displaying maturity beyond his years with assured control and calm decision‑making. He executed his goal brilliantly, steering Rylah's cross firmly into the corner after evading the attentions of ex‑Addick loanee Chem Campbell and Jasper Addicks will remember his lively cameo off the bench in the final game of the regular season before the play-offs, when he came on in the 85th minute against Burton afterwards, manager Nathan Jones lauded his energy and confidence, noting his "lack of fear—almost disrespect to the opposition", while stressing how he conducts himself respectfully off the pitch. "He can be a top footballer if he continues to work hard," Jones evening had an inauspicious start even before kick-off when their team bus struggled to navigate the tight entrance to The Valley, forcing manager Alex Revell to lead the players on a short walk to the dressing tie took place on what would have been the 44th birthday of superfan Seb Lewis, who sadly passed away during was enshrined as a club hero, with a mural at The Valley, for attending 1,076 consecutive matches, a 22-year run stretching back to February his brother, recalled one of many anecdotes: when determined not to miss a behind-closed-doors friendly, he once hid from a distance at QPR's training ground near Heathrow!Always in our hearts.
