Shin Ji-yai of South Korea and 15-year-old amateur Lydia Ko both shot three-under 70 yesterday to surge six shots clear heading into the final day of the Women's Australian Open. Ko jumped to an early lead at Royal Canberra with birdies on the 2nd, 4th and 6th holes. She allowed Shin to retake a share of the lead with bogeys on No12 and 14 before making another birdie on the final hole to finish 17-under 202. "When I was coming down the 18th I wasn't very happy with what happened, there were a couple more birdie opportunities that I did miss, so I said: 'Lydia, just have a birdie down the last hole and just be happy with that,"' Ko said. AP

Australian champion sprinter Black Caviar broke the 1,000-metres track record at Flemington in Melbourne as the unbeaten mare enjoyed a comfortable return to action by romping home in a race named in her honour. Making her first start yesterday since picking up an injury in a narrow victory at Royal Ascot last June, the six-year-old won the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes to maintain her perfect record, with a 23rd win in as many starts. "I'm just so proud to have her back," trainer Peter Moody said. "I said to my girls, 'I think it is the first time I have been nervous for a long time. I am a little bit emotional for the first time'." Jockey Luke Nolen, who was criticised for easing off in the Ascot race and almost getting caught on the line, said Black Caviar was suffering a bit from the intense heat. "I didn't drop me hands on her today," Nolen quipped. "I think she was knocked around a bit by the heat today. But she was pretty good once we got going. She just continues to amaze me." Reuters