Mark Waugh on Winx farewell, Val Holmes’ ‘big risk’ in USA

Despite her having astonishing $1.06 odds to claim the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, there is an air of caution about Winx and her racing farewell.

Despite her having astonishing $1.06 odds to claim the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, there is an air of caution about Winx and her racing farewell on Saturday. While the champion mare sits at 32 wins in a row, the possibility of a shock boilover still exists.

Bryan Fletcher weighed the idea of a Don Bradman-esque finish to her career (Bradman famously got out for a duck in his final appearance for Australia), but Mark Waugh wasn’t having it, insisting it’s all but certain Winx will finish her career a hero.

“The field’s just not strong enough,” Waugh said. “His Eminence is the only danger, he’ll lead for a bit, but (Winx) is just too good.”

Waugh backed Hartnell to place in the great race, which begins at 3.05pm on Saturday at Randwick.

Winx is going for 33 in a row on Saturday.

‘BIG RISK’ IN HOLMES’ US MOVE

Valentine Holmes’ charge towards a start in the NFL is the hot topic on everyone’s lips this week. The NRL star and Kangaroos representative snagged a deal with the New York Jets as the struggling side aims to rebuild on the back of a horror stint in the league.

Holmes follows the footsteps of Jarryd Hayne as yet another NRL star jumping ship to make it in the big leagues, and former footy star Bryan Fletcher couldn’t give more power to him.

The former NSW star said the explosive 23-year-old was taking a huge financial risk in throwing the NRL to the wind to pursue his dream but said he has his full support.

“I think he’s on $180,000, when he could be on $1.2 (million),” Fletcher said. “He’s taken a cut there. I think he’s got more to offer than Jarryd Hayne. Good luck to him. I think he impressed in that Combine. It’s a big risk. But good on him, I’m cheering for him.”

Valentine Holmes is trying for the NFL big leagues.

SHOCK JOCK SCOLDED OVER SIMMONS SPRAY

US sports shock jock Colin Cowherd has built a career on divisive comments in the sporting world, but does his latest jab at Ben Simmons hold water?

The iconic sportscaster this week labelled the Aussie basketball phenom as the “least improved player” in the NBA this year across the tournament’s 30 teams.

Cowherd labelled the 22-year-old’s inability to shoot three-pointers as “ridiculous” in a rant on a segment of his show, The Herd.

“The NBA has a most improved player, we’re offering a least improved player,” Cowherd said. “Ben Simmons. You can’t even argue it ... less dating famous people — work on your jumper!

“No one has the talent that’s just sat on it for an off-season like Ben Simmons.”

Ben Simmons copped a beating this week.

Former Aussie basketballer Shane Heal bit back at Cowherd’s comments this week,

“It’s a silly comment. Ben Simmons is obviously one of the great players — an All-Star player of the NBA. His one big weakness is that he can’t shoot from the perimeter. It makes him look like he hasn’t improved.

“He does have to get to the very next stage to be one of the very elite players. I think he’ll do that at some stage. They’ve had a season that’s been outstanding, so I think he’s been great.”