Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The Central Coast Mariners will bid to become the first team to win three A-League titles in succession as Australia's top

Nine years after trailblazer Michelle Payne became the first woman to ride a Melbourne Cup winner, a record contingent of four female jockeys will attempt to become the second to claim Australia's most prestigious horse race on Tuesday.

Irish jockey Robbie Dolan is set to give his vocal chords their biggest workout since his appearance on "The Voice" after delivering a pitch-perfect ride on Knight's Choice to win the A$8 million ($5.28 million) Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

Breaker Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn's signature kangaroo bounce will not be seen on a competitive stage again after the Australian declared she could not bring herself to battle following the backlash over her Paris Olympic performance.

Australia will hope the much-travelled Herve Renard will not wield his old magic on his return to the Saudi Arabia dugout when the teams clash in a crunch World Cup qualifier at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Thursday.

Herve Renard marked his return to the Saudi Arabia dugout with a gritty 0-0 draw against hosts Australia as the Green Falcons fumed at a late disallowed goal that cost them maximum points in a crunch World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

Australia will be glad to welcome back winger Craig Goodwin for their World Cup qualifier in Bahrain on Tuesday, as they desperately seek a clinical edge to smooth their path to the 2026 finals.

For all the doubts that surround India heading into the five-match series in Australia, the hosts will be the last to doubt the qualities of Rohit Sharma's team.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - For all the doubts that surround India heading into the five-match series in Australia, the hosts will be the last to doubt the qualities of Rohit Sharma's team.

Kusini Yengi's stoppage-time goal saved Australia from a calamitous defeat by Bahrain in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday but the Socceroos will be smarting over another blown chance to steal a march on Asian rivals on the road to 2026.