FOUR WIDE ON MARYBOROUGH FINAL LAP

Extra

MSO launch

■ In 2024 the MSO celebrates music’s ability to tell stories that move and inspire us, from evocative soundscapes and epic film scores to the majestic works of the great composers.

The 2024 program features 12 world premieres, 11 by Australian composers, two premieres of international composers, 17 MSO debuts and 14 artists performing exclusively with the MSO in 2024

Program highlights include the Baroque and Beethoven Festivals, Chief Conductor Jaime Martín conducting Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Holst’s The Planets, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Beethoven’s Ninth Lawrence Renes conducts Faure´’s Requiem with Siobhan Stagg, while Principal Conductor in Residence Benjamin Northey conducts Max Richter’s Vivaldi Recomposed and a powerful Holocaust Memorial Concert - Kaddish, presented with the Australian War Memorial.

The MSO will perform a moving tribute concert Hopelessly Devoted in memory of the late Olivia Newton John, and the Australian premiere screening of Disney’s original film The Lion King with a live score.

The 2024 line-up features the Australian premieres of MSO Commissions from international artists Tan Dun and James MacMillan, and the world premieres of new work from Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, 2024 Composer in Residence Katy Abbott and Cybec Young Composer in Residence Naomi Dodd. A new work from Elena Kats-Chernin and William Barton will also have its world premiere.

Making their Australian debuts are American conductor and cellist Jonathon Heyward, striking mezzo-soprano Raehann BryceDavies, charismatic German conductor Anja Bihlmaier, and internationally acclaimed Chinese soprano Hui He.

Across the year, Jaime Martín leads the MSO for three breath-taking galas. The Ryman Healthcare Season Opening Gala Jamie Conducts The Planets, features two of the most emotionally stirring works of all time.

Alban Gerhardt brings intense musicality to perform Elgar’s ravishing Cello Concerto, and Gustav Holst’s magnificent The Planets, which famously doesn't include our own planet, acquires a new celestial addition in the world premiere of Earth; an MSO commission from Yorta Yorta composer Deborah Cheetham Fraillon.

The Ryman Healthcare Winter Gala brings together a stellar ensemble of vocal soloists and the extraordinary voices of the MSO Chorus for Carl Orff’s thundering Carmina Burana. The program also features worldrenowned yidaki player William Barton performing Peter Sculthorpe’s evocative Earth Cry.

Martín leads the MSO through the astonishing range of all nine Beethoven symphonies for the Beethoven Festival, culminating in the Ryman Healthcare Spring Gala Beethoven’s Ninth. This concert will feature some of Australia’s best opera singers and the MSO Chorus, with a program that also includes the Australian premiere of James MacMillan’s Concerto for Orchestra, commissioned by the MSO in partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Baroque expert and 2024 MSO Artist in Residence Erin Helyard will direct the Baroque Festival, exploring the concertos of Bach and Vivaldi and the arias of Handel and Vivaldi, featuring superstar soprano Samantha Clarke. The week culminates with one of the most in-demand choral conductors of our time, Stephen Layton (UK) making his MSO debut leading a 300th anniversary performance of Bach’s St John Passion.

Continuing his exploration of the complete symphonies of Gustav Mahler and Antonin Dvorák, Martín’s year begins with Mahler’s epic third symphony.

■ Popular Maryborough commenced the week’s racing on Monday July 31 and much travelled trainer Steven Branson a former South Australian now based at Kialla was successful with 9Y0 Blissful Hall-Jarcourt mare Courts Bliss in the Benstud Back Straight pace over 2190 metres.

Raced by Steven and partner Kyra J, Courts Bliss having her 55th race start settled three back in the moving line for James Herbertson as polemarker Stellar Queen led.

Trailing Malava Miss ahead of her forward in the last lap, Courts Bliss four wide on the final bend ran home best to register a 1.3 metre margin and chalk up her sixth success in defeating Malava Miss, with Summerhill using the sprint lane off the weakening leader for third 1.3 metres away. The mile rate 2-01.7.

■ Local Havelock owner/trainer/driver Tina Ridis captured all of the spoils in ‘The Thirties’ Trot Final over 2190 metres with most reliable 7Y0 gelding Mumstheword returning a rate of 2-02.8.

Trapped uncovered from gate two on the second line but a long way off the leading duo Primz Luck (gate two) and Dicko Dixon (gate four) who cleared away from the bulk of the field, Mumstheword gained cover at the bell after Jahbella which had been three wide since the outset moved to lead up the outside division.

When Jahbella crossed the leader prior to the final bend, Mumstheword was again left exposed, but rallied strongly in the straight to defeat Jahbella who’s effort was outstanding by a head, with Master Combatant (one/two – three wide home turn) 1.3 metrers away third. It was Mumstheword’s 4th victory in 88 outings.

■ Charlton duo Shane and Ryan Sanderson combined to land The 1690 metre World’s Best Hoof Oil Pace with 3Y0 Sweet Lou-Secret Agenda filly Sweet Agenda.

Leading out from gate four, Ryan elected to hand over the front running to Sweet Creation from outside the front line to receive the run of the race.

Using the sprint lane, Sweet Agenda finished fast when clear to blouse Our True Colours (one/ two) which swept to the front on turning by 1.8 metres in 1-56.6. Kidwithagrin (one/three) was third 1.6 metres back.

■ Shepparton raced on Tuesday with another big 10 race program with mixed results and Kyabram trainer Mark Watson snared the 2190 metre VHRC/Benstud 3Y0 Maiden Pace with Always B Miki-Maid For You Lombo filly Half Price Bride.

Driven by Nathan Jack, Half Price Bride led throughout from gate four to defy all challengers to account for first starter Orions Wildside (one/one) by 2.3 metres. Ringorella (five pegs) flashed late for third 1.9 metres away. The mile rate 1-59.9.

■ Astute Elmore trainer Keith Cotchin landed the VHRC/Woodlands Stud 2Y0 Pace over 1690 metres with Our Luviano, a gelded son of Sweet Lou and Gottahaveasheffield on debut.

Driven by Tayla French, Our Luciano enjoyed a cosy trip three pegs from the pole trailing another first starter Rocknroll Raider (gate five) and after extricated three wide in the straight, finished swiftly to defeat Tick A Loch along the sprint lane off the back of the leader who was third. The margins a nose by a nose in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 1-58.1.

■ The 2190 metre VHRC/Mark Gurry & Associates Pace went to Cranbourne trainer/driver Scott Ewen’s Huntsville-Dazzling Delight 3Y0 gelding Indelible Mase in a rate of 2-01.

Starting from gate two on the second line, Indelible Maser was sent forward from midfield once the speed settled to assume control at the bell, defying all challengers to just last by a nose from a death-seating Treacheroustimes in a tricky finish. Very Tempting (one/one) a stablemate of the runner up was third 8.6 metres back.

■ Euroa trainer Cameron Maggs’ handy 5Y0 Majestic Son-Sunday Service gelding Super Service was successful in the VHRC/Aldebaran Park Benefiting Our Members Trotters Handicap over 2190 metres.

Much to the delight of owner/breeder Frank Jessup. Driven to perfection by Tasmyn Potter, Super Service after beginning swiftly from 10 metres was able to follow the leader Kyvalley