Australian racing industry grappling with drug and alcohol abuse among apprentice jockeys

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has been practiced over the centuries. One of the principal forms of horse racing, which is popular in many parts of the world, is Thoroughbred racing. Harness racing for Standardbred horses is also popular in Australia, New Zealand, the eastern United States and more popular than Thoroughbred racing in Canada and parts of Europe.

The Australian horse racing industry is in panic mode as it grapples with a drug and alcohol abuse epidemic among apprentice jockeys. Australian racing industry grappling with drug and alcohol abuse among apprentice jockeys. Josh Adams top apprentice is serving a seven month ban due to drugs. Source: News Limited. The Australian horse racing industry is in panic mode as it grapples with a drug and alcohol abuse epidemic among apprentice jockeys. Melbourne Cup Marvels: Best winners of the past 15 years.  A growing number of young riders have spiralled out of control, with one leading Sydney trainer claiming four out of 10 apprentices use recreational drugs. The issue is said to be at "panic stations" following the latest suspension of Sydney star apprentice Josh Adams for seven months because of drugs And he isn't alone. Recently, drugs shattered the career of Jamie Quinnell, while the promising Mitch Beadman  and Daniel Ganderton walked away from riding to sort out drinking issues. Beadman and Ganderton never tested positive, but regularly drew stewards' ire for well chronicled wayward behaviour. Ganderton, who quit riding, said he never took drugs but "wasted thousands on alcohol." Racing New South Wales boss Peter V'landys said drug use among some apprentices was a major concern. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. He said the governing body was educating young jockeys about the dangers of using drugs. Top apprentices can earn up to $500,000 a year and some are prone to reckless spending on alcohol, luxury cars, holidays and pokies.

US starts Gold Cup with 2-0 win over Canada

Jozy Altidore scored in the first half and set up Clint Dempsey's goal in the second as the United States opened its Gold Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Canada on Tuesday.The 21-year-old Altidore put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute and Dempsey scored in the 62nd from a good Altidore cross. The U.S., which was coming off a 4-0 loss to World Cup champion Spain on Saturday, has never lost a group stage game at the Gold Cup. "Coming off the game against Spain, obviously, you got down a little bit," Altidore said. "Now, we've just got to build on it, because it's only going to get harder from here."The U.S. pressured Canada from the start. Altidore scored after running onto a long pass from Landon Donovan. Although Kevin McKenna was back to defend, Altidore was able to turn and take a low shot which slipped under goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld and into the net. There was little Hirschfeld could do about the second goal. Altidore sent a low cross from to the right of the net, and Dempsey stretched to knock the ball in at the far post. "For confidence, it was a good thing," coach Bob Bradley said. "The movement that led to the first goal and the cross to Dempsey for the second both were great plays."U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was impressive, reacting marvelously to deflect Ali Gerba's powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area with his right hand in the 70th minute. About 15 minutes later, Howard smothered a shot near the edge of the 6-yard box, then made another terrific stop on a volley by Gerba. "Howard was absolute magic," Canadian coach Stephen Hart said. "I almost clapped."Oguchi Onyewu was left out of the starting lineup for the Americans. Coach Bob Bradley went with Tim Ream and Clarence Goodson in central defense.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup Opponent was Canada

The occasion the CONCACAF Gold Cup opener demanded the squad’s attention.And the opponent was Canada, not Spain.With an enhanced performance spearheaded by Jozy Altidore, the United States recovered from a weekend embarrassment with a 2 0 victory Tuesday in the team’s tournament opener before an announced 28,209 at Ford Field.Altidore scored in the 15th minute and set up Clint Dempsey’s goal in the 62nd as the Americans improved to 24-0-2 all time in group play of the regional tournament and extended their unbeaten streak against Canada to 14, dating from 1985.Their next game is Saturday in Tampa against Panama, a 3-2 victor over Guadeloupe in the evening’s first match.“It’s a good start,” U.S. Coach Bob Bradley said. “There’s a lot to build on. We’re excited to get going. The objective on this night was two fold: rebound from a 4-0 loss to World Cup champion Spain on Saturday and begin the march to what is widely expected to be a U.S.-Mexico final for the third consecutive tournament.The Americans crackled with energy from the start, placing Canada under unrelenting duress. Central midfielders Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones set the tone with their ball winning and distribution. Dempsey and Landon Donovan were lively and assertive, shuttling between the flanks and the heart of the attack. Altidore, 21, and Juan Agudelo, 18, were persistent threats on the front line.“It was good for us to take the game to Canada, it was good for us to be more of an attacking threat, especially after not getting many chances in the Spain game,” Dempsey said.When the Americans lost their edge, goalkeeper Tim Howard provided relief with two outstanding saves. “Howard was absolute magic,” Canada Coach Stephen Hart said. “I almost clapped.”Altidore’s performance was particularly encouraging after he fell short of expectations at the World Cup last summer and played sporadically this past season for Turkish club Bursaspor. “When you go through a stretch with your club team and not always playing regularly and not getting goals, in terms of confidence, this was very important,” Bob Bradley said.On the first goal, Michael Bradley initiated the attack from a deep position, connecting with Donovan, who launched Altidore for a run into the right side of the box.Canadian captain Kevin McKenna was positioned between the charging striker and the goal, but Altidore warded him off, turned quickly and struck a ferocious shot that seemed to catch goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld by surprise. Late to react, Hirschfeld was beaten to the near corner, allowing Altidore to register his 11th international goal.Hirschfeld thwarted Agudelo twice in about a minute late in the half, diving to his left on a 15 yard shot and lunging right on a 25 yard blast.After the break, with more players committed to the attack, Canada took the game to the Americans but failed to equalize.Dempsey then eased U.S. anxiety. Moments after an ambitious scorpion kick was blocked deep in the box, he scored from almost the same spot with a more common technique.Altidore set it up with a cross that Agudelo, charging through the middle, appeared to nick. Initially, Dempsey didn’t seem capable of reaching it, but with an outstretched leg, connected with a sliding effort for his 20th international goal.Canada answered with severe pressure, but Howard foiled Ali Gerba twice: with a tip save on a rasping drive and a sensational block deep in the box.“Right before game time, we had that eye of the tiger back,” Howard said. “We were excited about the tournament,We feel good about the performance".

Analycies to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany

The FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 will be the sixth instance of the FIFA Women's World Cup, the quadrennial international women's football world championship tournament. It has been scheduled to take place between 26 June and 17 July 2011.When the FIFA Women's World Cup begins in Germany this month, the host country will be looking to repeat. First, they have to emerge from Group A. While they are the favorite, the German side needs to be wary of the other teams in the group.Six nations, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Peru and Switzerland, initially declared their interest in hosting the 2011 Women's World Cup. Here's a look at them, and the expectations for each.

Germany

The defending side opens up play June 26 in Berlin against Canada. While Germany will be the favorite, Canada is currently ranked sixth in the world and can present a strong challenge in the first match.German team captain Birgit Prinz has announced she will be retiring from the National Team after the World Cup, so you can imagine the thrill it would be for her side to be champions one more time, as the final will be in her hometown of Frankfurt.

Canada

Knowing that the 2015 Women's World Cup will be held in Canada might provide extra motivation for the side to win it all. If they can replicate the German experience of defending at home, it would do fantastic things for women's soccer in Canada.If they do well against Germany, the Canadians have a chance to run the table in Group A. The first match of the group may be it's most important.

France

Appearing in their second World Cup, France tore through the qualifying for the Germany appearance, winning 11 of 12 matches, they lost only to Italy. French Captain Sandrine Soubeyrand acknowledged that they weren't all top-level opponents."All due respect to the teams we beat, who are developing nations on the international scene, but it's going to be a lot tougher for us in Germany," she said.

Nigeria

Although Nigeria finished last in their group in the 2007 World Cup, the side has much higher expectations this time. While they aren't expected to win the group, they should improve on the 2007 finish. Nigeria is just one of seven nations to have participated in all five previous FIFA World Cups.
"Don't rule us out of reaching the final of the World Cup, or better still, coming back home with the trophy," said team captain and goalkeeper Precious Dede.

How will Group A finish?
Conventional wisdom says Germany and Canada will emerge, 1 and 2. I'm not so sure. France may just upend things a little, and Nigeria could surprise. Still, Germany has to be the pick to emerge in the first spot. For number two, I see France riding their momentum to advance from the group.