HORSE RACING: Australian champion sprinter Black Caviar galloped into the record books with the 24th straight victory of an illustrious career after winning the 1,200 metre William Reid Stakes yesterday. More than 25,000 fans had gathered at the Moonee Valley Racing Club to watch what was billed as her Melbourne swansong and the six-year-old un-beaten mare did not let them down. The Peter Moody-trained champion comfortably won the seven-horse race under lights to match galloper Kingston Town’s Australian record of 14 Group One victories.
CYCLING: Tour of Britain race director Mick Bennett has promised fans and riders the “most gruelling” race yet after unveiling the course for its 10th anniversary race in September. Among the highlights are a first ever stage through the heart of the Lake District and a time-trial over the traditional 10-mile distance set in Knowsley Safari Park near Liverpool. A peloton organisers hope will include Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins along with fellow British stars Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish, will then move on to the more familiar sights of climbs over Dartmoor, sprints up Guildford’s cobbled High Street and a closing stage around central London.
TENNIS: Former world number one Jennifer Capriati (picture) has reportedly been charged with stalking and battery after allegedly punching her ex-boyfriend last month. The 36-year-old three-time major winner allegedly assaulted Ivan Brannan on Valentine’s Day while he was working out at a gym in North Palm Beach, Florida. According to reports in the United States, Capriati has been issued a summons to appear before a judge at Palm Beach Gardens courthouse on April 17. Capriati’s attorney, Richard Lubin, on Thursday night insisted his client had done nothing wrong and vowed to clear her name.
GOLF: Briton Justin Rose returned a seven-under 65 to grab the first-round lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando while Tiger Woods got his bid for an eighth Bay Hill title off to a solid start. Helped by a red-hot putter, Rose outshone playing partners Woods and South African Ernie Els by mixing an eagle and six birdies with a single bogey on a sunny but chilly day.
RUGBY UNION: Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny was named the player of the Six Nations championship yesterday after winning 40 per cent of the votes cast by more than 80,000 rugby fans. Halfpenny, one of a shortlist of 15 players compiled using a combination of match statistics and social media ap-pearances, was a worthy winner after his consistent all-round performances helped Wales retain the title in their momentous last-day victory over England.
FORMULA ONE: Mercedes F1 team chief execu-tive Nick Fry will step down at the beginning of April with Toto Wolff assuming his responsibilities and taking a greater role in day-to-day operations. Fry will remain as a consultant helping with com-mercial operations until at least the end of 2014. The Briton joined the team when they were known as BAR, staying through sub-sequent incarnations as Honda and Brawn GP – the outfit that won both titles in 2009 before being bought by Mercedes.