Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - Page 57
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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer
Radio Confidential: McGowan, by a mile ..... Page 58 Veritas: Footy official was media pioneer ........ Page 59 The Spoiler: Next week’s ‘soaps’ plotlines ............ Page 59 Jim and Aaron: Best DVD-film selections ................. Page 60 Cheryl Threadgold: Community Theatre - it’s a wrap ...... Page 62 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
WILLO - IN SYMPHONY Sidney Myer winners named
● Sidney Myer ■ The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards winners were named at the weekend. They are: ■ Individual Award. Paul Capsis, awarded $50,000. ■ Group Award. Australian Art Orchestra, awarded $80,000. ■ Facilitator’s Prize. John Paxinos, awarded $20,000. The awards were created in 1984 by the trustees of the Sidney Myer Fund to mark the 50th anniversary of the Melbourne retailer’s death. Myer was a strong philanthripist, patron of the arts, and supporter of community life. “These award support his belief that the arts are inseparable from everyday life and a rich society is one that expresses great creative spirit,” said Carillo Gantner, Chairman of Trustess. Mr Gantner said: Individual Award: Paul Capsis’s extraordinary abilities, seemingly limitless vocal range and success in forging a distinctive genre mark his uniqueness as a performer. He is an embodiment of the artist as both a cipher (channelling the divas) and sharply defined individual whose work is inextricably bound up in who he is. Gender-ambiguous, Paul has had remarkable success in a huge variety of characterisations across theatre, cabaret and film in the past two decades. Group Award: Australian Art Orchestra. Formed in 1994 by Artistic Director, pianist, conductor and composer Paul Grabowsky, the Australian Art Orchestra is committed to the development and exploration of improvised and notated jazz music. The Australian Art Orchestra’s many groundbreaking projects including artistic collaborations composition and performance projects - with Aboriginal communities and artists from nations in the Asia Pacific region across a range of genres. Facilitator’s Prize: John Paxinos. A quiet achiever, John Paxinos’s support of the small to medium arts sector over the past 30 years has built artistically vibrant and financially robust companies. His are the hands behind the success of hundreds of artists and small companies, helping them organise their company governance structures, sort out their finances, meet regulatory requirements and share the essential business skills required to sustain a long-term career as an artist.
■ Australian singersongwriter John Williamson will perform two special concerts, accompanied by Orchestra Victoria, in May at Melbourne’s Crown Casino. Having just released his latest live CD and DVD John Williamson: In Symphony, recorded late last year at the Sydney Opera House, the multi award-winning artist is preparing to return to the stage with one of the country’s most celebrated orchestras. “‘I can’t wait for my Victorian mates from all around Melbourne to hear my songs ● John Williamson with Orchestra Victoria. I know the orchestra will have fun playing my music, as they did in Sydney. It’s something different for them. And don’t worry, the campfire and my stomp box will still be on stage with me; along with guitarist legend Col Watson,’ said Williamson. The live concerts on Friday May 20 (8pm) and Saturday May 21 (8pm) will be delivered before what are expected to be sellout audiences. Williamson will perform some of his biggest hits capturing country, characters and spirit with new sounds and stories portrayed through the inclusion of the orchestra. Ticket holders will also see a preview of some of Williamson’s latest, yet to be recorded material, which will also be interpreted orchestrally. John Williamson has symbolised the spirit of Australia in poetry and song for the past four decades and the exclusive concerts, accompanied by Orchestra Victoria, will give his audience an experience to remember. Williamson was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010, adding to his collection of three ARIA Awards, 24 Golden Guitars, MO Awards, APRA Awards, Platinum and Gold albums, and more than four million album sales. His resume and catalogue of more than 350 songs would make any songwriter envious; not bad for a kid from Quambatook in Victoria’s Mallee country! In the past few decades he has been an inspirational presence at some of the most significant events in Australia: The Sydney 2000 Olympics, numerous Bledisloe Cup, the Rugby World Cup, memorial services for Sir Donald Bradman, his mate Steve Irwin, the first Bali Bombing service and the list goes on. He is ingrained in Australia’s history.
KEITH - BY A COUNTRY MILE
Doctor Zhivago to open soon
● Anthony Warlow ■ Next week’s highly-anticipated opening of Doctor Zhivago at Mebourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre will be preceded by a ‘media call’ where photographers and camera people will capture images of the performance. Anthony Warlowis starring n the title role of the ardent Yurii Zhivago, and Lucy Maunder is appeariong as the alluring Lara. The media call will see the pair sing On The Edge of Time. The musical has been written by Lucy Simon (The Secret Garden) and is directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys). The cast will then perform a musical number from this lavish new production. Based on the famous novel by Boris Pasternak, this is a passionate and romantic love story, set against the background of the Russian Revolution. With its lush melodies, suspenseful story telling and the acclaimed Anthony Warlow in the title role, this is a new musical in the grand tradition. Doctor Zhivago has a combined Australian/US creative team, which includes Lucy Simon (composer), Director Des McAnuff, lyrics by Michael Korie and Amy Powers, book by Michael Weller. The set, costume, lighting and sound designers are all Australian. Principal cast is Lucy Maunder (Lara), Taneel Van Zyl (Tonia), Peter Carroll (Alexander), Martin Crewes (Pasha), Bartholomew John (Komarovsky) and Trisha Noble (Anna)
Showbiz Snippets
● 3AW’s Keith McGowan has enjoyed a massive win in the latest Melbourne radio ratings survey. He took time out last weekend to visit the Victorian country region including Rainbow and Jeparit, and is pictured outside an old store at Yaapeet. Our ‘Observer Showbiz’ report of his ratings success is on Page 58.
■ The Australian Film Television and Radio School plans to explore the work and careers of the nearly 2000 students who have graduated from the School since it opened its doors in 1973. ■ Radio Eastern 98.1 is presenting The Melba Story, originally assembled by Hector Crawford and Glenda Raymond in the 1950s. The part of Melba was played by Patricia Kennedy (in most spisodes). The show is being made available for broadcast by the Clark Sinclair Collection, curated by Jamie Kelly. ■ A $400,000 radio and online advertising campaign started in China last week, telling millions of Chinese why there’s nothing like Queensland for an Australian holiday.
Page 58 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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Observer Radio Confidential Showbiz News from stations from around Victoria Overnighters KEITH BY A COUNTRY MILE
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McGOWAN BLITZES OVERNIGHT RATINGS
Victory for Leopold Bloom
● Leopold Bloom wins at Terang ■ One of the McGowan stable of harness racers, Leopold Bloom, had a win at Terang last week after starting as odds-on favourite. ‘Leo’ is a cousin to Simon Tappertit, who is stabled near Globe Derby Park in Adelaide.
3rd birthday for Keira ■ Keira daughter of entertainer Brendan Scott and wife Christine, turned three years of age last week. Proud grandmother Julie Scott also had a celebration: her 70th birthday. The family held a party to mark the event. Julie is always seen at Overnighters parties, selling CDs for the entertainers.
McGowan’s closest competitor was Tony Delroy of the Nightlife program on 774 ABC, which airs between 10pm and 2am. Delroy achieved a 20.2 per cent market share. ● Keith McGowan ■ 3AW Overnighters host Keith McGowan enjoyed a sensational win in the Melbourne radio ratings announced last week. His midnight-dawn program attracted 30.0 per cent of the available audience, weekdays, according to Nielsen’s second survey for 2011.
Then followed: SEN 8.4, Fox FM 7.1, Magic 6.0, Nova 4.1, MTR 3.5, Gold 3.1, Mix 101 3.0, Other FM 3.0, News Radio 2.6, MMM 2.3, Radio National 2.0, Classic Rock 1.9, JJJ 1.4, ABC FM 0.7, OtherAM 0.7. McGowan provides a strong ‘lead-in’ for the 3AW breakfast program hosted by Ross Stevenson and John Burns. His average rating at 5am is 29.5, compared to 14.7 at 774ABC.
Tribute to regulars ● Tony Delroy
■ Keith McGowan paid tribute to the team of reg-
Melbourne Radio Flashbacks
● Brendan Scott
Congratulations Denis ■ 3AW broadcasters are congratulating their colleague Denis Walter for his ratings success in the Noon-4pm afternoon program. Denis achieved a 13.3 per cent market share, topping all Melbourne stations. Traditionally, a music station takes top honours for this timeslot, but Denis blitzed all. Competitors include: Fox FM 12.9, Gold 8.0, Nova 7.0, MMM 6.4, JJJ 6.3, Magic 6.2, Mix 5.5, SEN 4.5, Classic Rock 3.4, MTR 2.8, ABC FM 2.3, Radio National 1.4, News Radio 1.3. Richard Stubbs at 774 ABC was only able to muster 8.5 per cent, that station’s daily low spot.
r Observbei z Show
● Lorna Dunkley and Brad Higgins ular guests that appear on his program, that has been part of the 3AW line-up for 21 years, and was at 3AK for two years before that. Observer columnist Di Rolle often appears at 1am Mondays (36.6 per cent). Ratings jump when the ‘Outback Legend’, Nick Le Souef, speaks in his weekly spot at 1am Tuesdays (34.5). UK correspondent Brad Higgins produces a ratings spike (33.6) when he phones in on Wednesdays at 1am. Observer theatre correspondent Cheryl Threadgold consistently provides a ratings boost for her 12.45am spot on Wednesdays (38.6). Motoring specialist Chris Da Fraga increases the audience to 31.3 when he gives his reports at 12.45am Thursdays. The Collectables program featuring panellists Rick Milne and Tony Shields rates up to 33.5 per cent, 12.05am-2am Fridays.
daily news round-up from 2am-2.30am. As an example, the Tuesday 2.15am-2.30am quarter-hour attracts 37.6 per cent of the audience, people aged 10+. Competitors include: ABC 774 23.4. SEN 11.7. Magic 7.1. ‘Other’ FM 6.1. Fox FM 5.4. Radio National 3.1. MMM 3.0. MTR 2.5.
● Ash Long at 3AW
To London
■ Nova’s ‘Fitzy and Wippa’ will broadcast a coverage of the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middletyon from London on April 29. They will give their comments on their 4pm7pm radio show, as well as appearing on Network 10.
Long way ahead ● Ann Gilding, best known for her Magic 693/1278 breakfast shift with Andrew McLaren, is pictured in her days at 3XY
■ Keith McGowan is consistently the top-rating Melbourne broadcaster when Observer Editor Ash Long joins him for a
● Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli Melbourne
Observer
On This Day
Wednesday, Thursday, April 7 April 6
Friday, April 8
Saturday, April 9
Sunday, April 10
Monday, April 11
Tuesday, April 12
■ Actor Gordon Chater was born in London in 1922. The Mavis Bramston Show character died aged 77 in 1999. US country singer Merle Haggard was born in California in 1937 (74). English singer Julie Rogers was born in 1943 (68).
■ Betty Ford, wife of former US President, Gerald, was born in 1918 (93). \ English singer Julian Lennon was born in Liverpool in 1963 (48). Peta Toppano, actress, was born in England in 1950 (61). She is divorced from Kerry Stokes.
■ Australian ballet star actor Sir Robert Helpmann was born in Mt Gambier in 1909. He died aged 77 in 1986. Australian stage actor Ron Haddrick was born in Adelaide in 1929 (82). Jamie Redfern, Aussie singer, was born in London, in 1957 (54). Actor Dennis Quaid is 57 today (1954).
■ Swedish actor Max Van Sydow was born in 1929 (82). Actor Omar Sharif was born as Michael Shalhoub in Egypt in 1932 (79). Actress/comedienne Jane Clifton was born in Spain in 1949 (62). Harry Morgan, American actor (MASH), is 96.
■ Australian orchestra leader Tommy Tycho was born in 1928 (83). Ethel Kennedy, widow of the late Senator Robert Kennedy, was born in 1928 (83). Joel Grey, star of Cabaret, is 79 (1932). Jeremy Clarkson, known for his role on Top Gear, was born in Yorkshire in 1960 (51).
■ Former Victorian Governor John Landy was born in 1930 (81). American singer Tony Tim (Herbert Khaury) was born in New York in 1932. He died aged 64 in 1996. TV presenter Terry Willesee is 66. US host David Letterman was born in 1947 (64).
■ Swimmer Duncan Armstrong was born in 1968 (43). US director Francis Ford Coppola was born in 1939 (72). His films included The Godfather series. Sir David Forst was born in England in 1939 (72). Actor James Garner, of Rockford Files, was born in 1928 (83).
Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of the Birthday Bulletin for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates. Find out more at www.birthdaybulletin.com.au
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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - Page 59
Observer TV, Radio, Theatre Showbiz Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour The Spoiler FOOTY MAN WAS Veritas
ShowBiz!
For Those Who Have Lost The Plot
Neighbours ■ 6.30pm. Weeknights. Eleven. ■ Monday, April 11. Worried about what Andrew might be hiding, Tash goes behind Michael's back and sneaks into the party. The Kennedys try to cheer up Toadie, but inadvertently do more harm than good. ■ Tuesday, April 12. Overwhelmed with guilt and pressured by the police, Andrew comes clean about Tomas. Paul is furious but worst of all, Summer is disappointed. Meanwhile, Kyle finally manages to impress Jade. ■ Wednesday, April 13. Callum comes home f rom hospital but all he wants is answers from his biological mother. When Toadie is no help, he turns to Paul who sets up a secret rendezvous with Sonya. ■ Thursday, April 14. Toadie's threat sends Sonya to the edge. Will she be tempted by her old demons and turn to alcohol again? Kate helps Kyle plan and save for his handy man business. ■ Friday, April 15. When Callum gets into trouble at school and Libby can't contact Toadie, she is left with no option but to call Sonya. Brennan becomes jealous when he sees Kate and Kyle hav ing breakfast.
Home and Away ■ 7.00pm. Weeknights. Channel 7. ■ Monday, April 11. While Charlie makes an effort to impress the Braxtons, Ruby's party gets out of hand. Xavier falls for a hot surfer chick ■ Tuesday, April 12. Ruby suffers in the aftermath of her rowdy party, while Charlie is forced to make a difficult choice. Nicole unveils her radical Surf Club designs ■ Wednesday, April 13. While Charlie denies her feelings for Brax, Nicole and Angelo become closer. Marilyn wishes she could turn back time when she makes a fool of herself. ■ Thursday, April 14. Sid admits how he really feels about Roo. April's anxiety gets the better of her, and Romeo gets more than he ever bargained for ■ Friday, April 15. While Romeo hits a slump and considers his options, Elijah is confronted by Leah. Xavier is caught red-handed.
Media Flashes ■ Betty White will host a hidden camera show where senior citizens prank much younger members of the public. ■ David White is quitting as head of One, Network Ten’s sports channel. ■ Norman Yemm and Lorraine Bayly appeared in Today Tonight’s ‘reunion’ of The Sullivans. Paul Cronin, who played Dave Sullivan, did not participate in the Seven feature, but did have a word with Nine’s A Current Affair. ■ Will the Nine Network win the free-to-air footy rights away from the Seven and Ten networks? Nine is examining a proposal to simulcast match broadcasts, in association with the Pay-TV networks. ■ Channel Nine is set to dump Charlie Sheen’s Two And A Half Men from the 7pm slot in favour of The Big Bang Theory. It has been trialling the plan in Brisbane for several weeks. ■ Cricketer Shane Warne and AFL boss Andrew Demetriou are discussing a possible sports event as a fubndraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital, following a discussion with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell. ■ Channel 9’s sports reporter Tony Jones has been receiving Twitter messages from the ‘St Kilda schoolgirl’ who has set up her own website. ■ How long do you give the new 6.30pm timeslot for George Negus on Network 10?
MEDIA PIONEER This Week’s Footy On TV
● Peter Floyd ■ Football official Peter Floyd, who died on March 14, was a pioneer in community broadcasting in Melbourne. The former Diamond Valley Football League Secretary worked hard in the early days of Channel 31 community television, and Plenty Valley FM radio. He produced programs, was a tireless presenter, and often worked through the night to get programs to air on time. The final days of his League management were tainted with charges of theft and false accounting (see news section in this week’s Melbourne Observer).
■ Friday. 7.40pm. Collingwood v Carlton. MCG. Seven. ■ Saturday. 2.10pm. W Bulldogs v GC Suns. ES. Ten. ■ Saturday. 3.10pm. Adelaide v Fremantle. AS. Fox. ■ Saturday. 7.10pm. Richmond v Hawthorn. MCG. Ten. ■ Saturday. 7.40pm. West Coast v Sydney. PS. Fox. ■ Sunday. 1.10pm.Melbourne v Brisbane Lions. MCG. Fox. ■ Sunday. 2.10pm. Geelong v Port Adelaide. SS. Seven. ■ Sunday. 4.40pm. St Kilda v Essendon. ES. Fox. ■ Bye: North Melbourne.
FOOLS GALORE
Melbourne’s Best TV-Radio Critic
Oh Bert, how very sad ... ■ How tragic to witness Australian TV legend Bert Newton hosting an ‘Adults Only’ 20 To 1 program last week that was little more than soft pornorgraphy. The Sex On The Screen ep. included film clips from X-rated porn videos, and followed on from Nine’s F-bomb-loaded Gordon Ramsay. Sad to see free-to-air TV just so full of smut.
● Bert Newton
Love ‘em or hate ‘em ■ My colleague, Max (Page 13), last week entered my territory, and asked readers about the radio announcers that are loved and hated. Reader Ellen Taylor writes: “Your article ‘Figures of Speech’ was a great read. I’ve loved the radio, and radio presenters since I was a child. My first fave was Madeline Burke on 3UL (Warragul).” Ellen’s favourites are now Mark Ryan on 979 FM at Melton, who presents 60s music on Saturday mornings: “He has a great speaking voice and his is funny.” Ellen lists 979 FM’s Anthony Barnes as her least favourite. She has a blast for Alan Brough (774) and Dave Hughes (Nova). She is also not keen on Denis Walter and Keith McGowan, but says she loves Bruce and Phil, Simon Owens, Alan Pearsall, Mike Brady; and Tony Tardio on Rete Italia.
Observer Special Reader Offer ● ‘The Odd Squad’ ■ Veritas reckons the best April Fools Day media prank in Melbourne was Dan Webb’s Seven News report in the 1960s reporting on the dreaded spaghetti-worm that had hit Victoria. Webb’s report is preserved for posterity on the You Tube website. His convincing report, back in the early black-and-white days of TV, was complete with footage of migrant workers, picking the spag-worm from vines. Last Friday saw a number of media outlets trying their 2011 April Fools jokes. In WA, 97.3 Coast FM announcers told listeners that their Mandurah Old Bridge would be replaced with a new crossing, based on the design of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The station’s phones ran hot. In Sydney, there were a number of ‘gotcha’ calls between competing radio station personalities. Merrick Watts (Nova) phoned in to David Oldfield’s 2UE program. Vertias gives points to Country105. com, a Calgary internet station, that told listeners that their pets would be taxed by weight. A petition was started!
Tony Fenelon
At The Mighty Regent Wurlitzer 20-Track CD.$20 (incl.postage) 32 favourites on the original Mighty Wurlutzer in Hoyts Regent Theatre Melbourne. Recorded in superb stereo featuring some of the finest Oscar-winning songs throughout the years, plus Embraceable You, It’s Delovely, When You’re In Love, With A Song In My Heart, Chicago and selections from Snow White and Oklahoma. Tunes including Zip A Dee Doo Dah, Mona Lisa, Days Of Wine and Roses, High Hopes, Three Coins In The Fountain, Secret Love, Moon River and Over The Rainbow.
CD Order Form. $20 (incl. postage) To: Resonance Recording Co. 16 Christine Ave Berwick PO Box 565, Berwick, Vic 3806 Yes! Please send me the Tony Fenelon CD. I enclose my Cheque/Money Order for $20. Name: ............................................................................. Address: ............................................................................. ● Dan Webb reports the SpagWorm problem on HSV-7 News in the 1960s
....................................... Phone: ......................................
Page 60 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Observer Showbiz DVD & Blu-Ray Recommendations FILM: THE LADY VANISHES - The Director's Suite Series: Genre: Mystery/Drama/Crime/Thriller. Cast: Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Basil Radford, Naunton Wayne. Year: 1938. Rating: TBA. Running Time: 96 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: ***** Verdict: Compelling and landmark thriller from the Master of Suspense, Sir Alfred Hitchcock, of a rich young playgirl travelling through Europe on a train and realizes that an elderly lady she befriended seems to have disappeared from the train, a great, fun-filled suspense thrill ride, remade numerous times but none have come close to the original in humour, gothic chills and excitement, filled with many of the legendary directors trademark touches, and the film that introduced us to the delightful Caldicott and Charters, the two cricket lovers that seem to be inconvenienced by all the mystery and mayhem around them, and went on to reprise their characters in a number of now classic films. FILM: EIGHT MEN OUT: Genre: Drama. Cast: John Cusack, Charlie Sheen, Christopher Lloyd, David Strathairn, Clifton James. Year: 1988. Rating: PG. Running Time: 120 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: ****1/2 Verdict: Superb dramatization based on the extraordinary true story of the Black Sox Baseball scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series, one of the most controversial scandals in sports history to this day, great cast, direction and screenplay make it a totally absorbing and thought-provoking experience filled with plenty of punch and poignancy, a real knockout, you don't have to like baseball to enjoy this, great storytelling, it would be the characters in this story that would later appear with even greater pathos and poignancy in the 1989 hit Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner. FILM: NEW YORK STORIES: Genre: Drama/Comedy/Romance. Cast: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Nick Nolte, Rosanna Arquette, Giancarlo Giannini. Year: 1989. Rating: PG. Running Time: 124 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: **** Verdict: Three diverse and star-studded short stories by three of cinemas most legendary and revered contemporary Oscar winning filmmakers, the first is the highly charged and energetic Life Lessons from Martin Scorsese, and tells the story of a middle-aged artist obsessed with his pretty young assistant, the second is Life Without Zoe from Francis Ford Coppola, of a precocious 12 year old living in a hotel, and the third and final story is Oedipus Wrecks from Woody Allen, and the hilariously funny story a neurotic lawyer with a possessive mother, of all three in the trilogy only Life Without Zoe from Francis Ford Coppola falls flat, but the other two from Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen certainly make up for it in a big way, highly enjoyable, entertaining and ultimately fulfilling. FILM: TWO WAY STRETCH & THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUITE Double Feature: Genre: Comedy. Cast: Peter Sellers, Lionel Jeffries, Alec Guinness. Year: 1960 and 1951. Rating: PG. Running Time: 87 Minutes & 85 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: ****1/2 Verdict: One of the most delightful and hilariously funny double features put together on DVD, in Two Way Stretch comic legend Peter Sellers has planned the perfect robbery while in prison, as he intends to break out of prison to steal a fortune in diamonds, but prison guard (a riotous performance by the great Lionel Jeffries) suspects something is going on, and in The Man in the White Suit an altruistic chemist invents a fabric that resists wear and stain as boon to humanity, played brilliantly by the wonderful and irreplaceable Sir Alec Guinness, there could rarely be a better and more enjoyable way than to spend a night in front of the telly with these two of the best of British comedy. FILM: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN: Genre: Comedy/Horror. Cast: Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Kenneth Mars. Year: 1974. Rating: PG. Running Time: 101 Minutes. Format: DVD & BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Turn To Page 67
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Movies, DVDs
With James Sherlock
Reviews by Aaron Rourke
TRAN ANH HUNG
â– With his 2009 film 'I Come With The Rain' finally arriving on DVD in Australia, I thought it would be interesting to look back on the body of work of 48 year-old Vietnamese director Tran Anh Hung. With only five films in 18 years (his new film 'Norwegian Wood', based on the best-selling novel by acclaimed author Haruki Murakami, is due out later this year), Tran has fascinated audiences with his insight into both the beautiful and dark side of human nature. The following films are all available on DVD. 'The Scent Of Green Papaya' (G) (1993). 100 minutes. **** Tran's exquisite debut feature is a delicate mood piece about ten yearold Mui (perfectly played by young Lu Man San), who is sent to Saigon (circa 1951) to be a servant at the house of a wealthy family, whose parents are still getting over the death of their daughter years before. Mui is rather overwhelmed by the size of the place, but becomes enthralled with the natural elements that surround her. Later we see Mui's experiences as a 20 year-old (now played by Tran Nu Yen Khe). Tran's ability to capture nature and our ability to connect with it is mesmerising, fully immersing us in a particular time and place. All the performances are natural, with Tran Nu Yen Khe conveying a radiant innocence as the older Mui. The film is beautifully shot by Benoit Delhomme (the film deservedly received an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography), and is superbly combined with meticulous sound design. 'Cyclo' (R) (1995). 124 minutes. **** After the quiet, intoxicating beauty of his first film, Tran certainly surprised everyone with his follow-up feature 'Cyclo', a brooding, violent drama about the dark side of human nature. Centring on a young, honest cyclo driver (Le Van Loc) working the streets of Ho Chi Min City, we see his descent into the criminal world after his cyclo is stolen. Also complicating matters is his sister (Tran Nu Yen Khe), who is having a relationship with a local gangster (Tony Leung Chiu Wai of 'Infernal Affairs' and 'Hero' fame). This time around Tran shows us a very different, quite unsettling look at people, and the way in which they treat both nature and each other. The cracked, run-down buildings and trash-covered landscapes become a perfect metaphor for that dark part that lurks within us, with nature finding it hard to push through the positive. A grim but compelling experience. 'The Vertical Ray Of The Sun' (PG) (2000). 112 minutes. **** After the bleak tone of 'Cyclo', Tran returned to the positive with this elegant and charming drama. The story revolves around three sisters, Lien (Tran Nu Yen Khe), Suong (Nguyen Nhu Quynh), and Khanh (Le Khanh), who have shared a close bond since the death of their parents. The close-knit family also includes brother Hai (Ngo Quang Hai). With a memorial banquet to commemorate their parents' death just over, problems
â—? Tran Anh Hung start to arise between Suong, Khanh and their respective husbands, Quoc (Chu Hung) and Kien (Tran Manh Cuong). Tran shows that delicate balance between people and nature, and how the harmony of one can be seen in the beauty of the other. Performances are all natural and believable, and the Oscar-worthy cinematography by Mark Lee is an absolute feast for the eyes. As with Tran's other films, there is also wonderful use of silence. 'I Come With The Rain' (MA) (2009). 114 minutes. ***1/2 Light, dark, light, dark. The thematic, emotional, and spiritual pattern of tran Anh Hung continues with 'I Come With The Rain', a very moody, ultra-stylish, at-times brutal, neo-noir thriller that is also an intriguing religious parable. Josh Hartnett ('The Wrong Man' / 'Sin City') plays ex-cop Kline, who is hired by the head of the world's most powerful pharmaceutical company to locate his son, who disappeared while working at an orphanage in the Philippines. Kline, who is battling demons of his own after a serial killer case caused him to have a serious psychological breakdown, tracks the son Shitao (Takuya Kimura - 'Hero' / 'Space Battleship Yamato') to Hong Kong. Kline also locks horns with mobster Su Dongpo (Lee Byung-Hun - 'I Saw The Devil' / 'A Bittersweet Life'). This is easily Tran's biggest film to date, shot in a number of locales and starring an international cast, which also includes Elias Koteas ('The Thin Red Line'), Shawn Yue ('Infernal Affairs' trilogy) and Tran Nu Yen Khe (who has appeared in all of the director's films). Tran's fascination with mankind's inner turmoil and how it affects them and the environment around them is again on show, and this particular kind of confrontation and battle is gorgeously captured by top cinematographer Juan Ruiz-Anchia ('At Close Range' / 'Glengarry Glen Ross' / 'House Of Games'). Performances are effective, but some of the less-convincing dialogue feels somewhat clunky due to some of the international actors having to speak English, but they all fit in well with the film's noir atmosphere. Not a complete success, but this is definitely mature, involving viewing. - Aaron Rourke
Melbourne
Observer
Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. RED RIDING HOOD. 2. RANGO. 3. LIMITLESS. 4. BATTLE: LOS ANGELES. 5. THE MECHANIC. 6. HALL PASS. 7. THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU. 8. THE KING'S SPEECH. 9. GNOMEO AND JULIET. 10. BARNEY'S VERSION. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: MARCH 31: HEARTBEATS, IN A BETTER WORLD, JUST GO WITH IT, LINCOLN LAWYER, NEVER LET ME GO, THE LIGHTHORSEMEN. APRIL 7: HOP, HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER, JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER, MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITE, RIO, SUCKER PUNCH, BORN TO BE WILD 3D, THANK YOU. THE DVD TOP SELLERS: 1. RED [Action/Comedy/Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Brian Cox, Ernest Borgnine]. 2. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader [Fantasy/Adventure]. 3. THE SOCIAL NETWORK [Drama/Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justine Timberlake]. 4. MACHETE [Action/Thriller/ Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez]. 5. WILD TARGET [Action/Comedy/ Crime/Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt]. 6. THE TOWN [Crime/Mystery/ Thriller/Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Pete Postlethwaite]. 7. DEVIL [Horror/Thriller/Geoffrey Arend, Bojana Novakovic, Logan Marshall-Green]. 8. BAMBI: Diamond Edition [1942/Animated/Family/Classic/ Hardie Albright, Thelma Boardman]. 9. THE EXPENDABLES [Action/ Thriller/Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis]. 10. TOY STORY 3 [Animated/Family/Comedy/Tom Hanks, Michael Keaton, Don Rickles]. Also: DUE DATE, JACKASS 3, SAW: THE FINAL CHAPTER, THE GHOST WRITER, THE AMERICAN, EAT PRAY LOVE, RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE, LEGEND OF THE GARDIANS: THE OWLS OF GA'HOOLE, INCEPTION, THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: ALPHA and OMEGA [Animated/ Family/Adventure/Justin Long, Christina Ricci, Danny Glover]. MEGAMIND [Animated/Comedy/ Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Ben Stiller]. KING OF CALIFORNIA [Comedy/ Michael Douglas]. LIFE AS WE KNOW IT [Comedy/ Katherine Heigl, Josh Lucas]. WHITE LION [Family/Adventure/ Jamie Bartlett, John Kani, Thabo Malema]. NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: MADAME X [1966/Drama/Lana Turner, John Forsythe, Ricardo Montalban, Burgess Meredith]. A GUIDE FOR THE MARRIED MAN [1967/Comedy/Walter Matthau, Inger Stevens]. Turn To Page 67
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - Page 61
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Showbiz People
Melbourne show business people
● Tara Bishop with Natasha Stipanov at the Myer 100-year birthday party
● Channel 7 weatherman David Brown with publicist Larissa Anderson
● Brian Hannan,. Michelle Fitzmaurice and John Bowles in Tenterfield Saddler
● Neighbours star Stefan Dennis and wife Gail at the Riverdance opening
● Former Premier Jeff Kennett on 3AW with golliwog ‘Jacko’
● Julie Barnett with Dom Barbuto at The Regent Theatre for Riverdance
● Angela McGowan with ‘Celtic Thunder’ at the 3AW studios this week
● David Mann with Barry Everingham at The Production Co. 2011 launch
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Page 62 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Observer Showbiz AUDITIONS
Peridot Theatre ■ The Glass Menagerie (by Tennessee Williams) April 6 at 7.30pm at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Vicki Smith. Audition bookings: 0419 329052 or 9568 4090 or stagestruck58@me.com
Community Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold
Melbourne
Observer
LIFE IS A CABARET, OLD CHUM SHOWS
Eltham Little Theatre ■ We Happy Few (By Imogen Stubbs) April 10 at 7.30pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1602 Main Rd., Research. Director: Gayle Poor. Audition bookings: 9857 6818.
Williamstown Little Theatre ■ Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (by Ed Graczyk) April 17 at 1.00pm, April 18 at 7.45pm at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Peter Newling. Audition Bookings: 0419 205 200.
Catchment Players of Darebin ■ Invitation: Expressions of Interest for Production Team for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. October production. Applications close April 11. (roles include Production Manager, Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Set Designer, Costume Designer). Email: secretary@catchment players.org.au ■ Into the Woods Jnr. April 12, 13 at the Catchment Rehearsal Factory, 10 Malua St., Reservoir. Audition bookings: 0424 565 375.
Fab Nobs ■ The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee April 16, 17. Director: Scott Hili; Musical Director: Phill Scanlon. Audition Bookings: 0414 367 062.
Hartwell Players ■ Murder and Mirth (Four one act plays) April 17 from 5pm at the BDC Dance Studios, 13 Yertchuk Ave., Ashwood. Audition bookings: 0412 104612 or auditions@hartwellplayers. org.au
● Roger Wander (Herr Schultz), Will Deumer (Emcee) and Jennie Kellaway (Frau Schneider) rehearse for Cabaret being presented by Catchment Players of Darebin from April 8-16. Photo: Gavin D. Andrew ■ Catchment Players of Darebin presents Cabaret on April 8, 9, 11, 15 at 8pm, April 10 at 2pm and April 16 at 5pm at the Banyule Theatre, Viewbank College, 10 Buckingham Drive, Heidelberg. Set in Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power, Cabaret focuses on nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub and revolves around English cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with American writer, Clifford Bradshaw. Overseeing the action is the Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub, which serves as a constant metaphor for the tenuous and threatening state of the late Weimar Germany throughout the show. Cabaret is directed and choreographed by Brad Fischer, with musical direction by Nathan Firmin. Tickets: $35/$29. $32 flat rate for gala opening night. Bookings and enquiries: 0437 228 246.www.catchmentplayers. org.au
■ Non-Pro Theatre columnist Cheryl Threadgold is heard weekly on 3AW Overnighters program hosted by Keith McGowan. Cheryl presents a segment with the latest community theatre news at 12.45am Wednesdays.
Monty and Melville at Theatreworks,St Kilda ■ A guide dog puppy adventure titled Monty And Melville is being presented by That Girl (in association with Guide Dogs Victoria) from Saturday, April 9 to Saturday, April 16 at 11.00am (no show on Sunday) at Theatre Works, St Kilda. This educational and entertaining school holiday show has been created especially for primary school-age children (best suited ages 4 - 8 years) by Lana Schwarcz, with direction by Roslyn Oades. Monty and Melville features shadow puppets, three talented performers and some tempting Kransky sausage which Monty must learn to ignore if he is to pass his training! Children will learn some important training tips, gain a basic understanding of how people with visual impairment use Guide Dogs to enrich their lives, and learn how to approach a person with a Guide Dog. The 45 minute show ends with a question and answer period where children can ask burning questions about Guide Dogs and their training. Performances: April 9 - 16 (not Sunday) Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Tickets (not including booking fee): $10 for school bookings, $15 single ticket, $12 groups of 8 or more Bookings: 9534 3388 Info and Online Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
SHOWS ■ Encore Theatre: Hay Fever Until April 9 at Clayton Community Centre Theatrette, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Horrie Leek. Bookings: 1300 739099. ■ FAMDA (Foster Amateur Musical Drama Association) Cabaretro - an evening of sophisticated cabaret. Until April 8 at the Foster War Memorial Arts Centre, Main St., Foster. Director: John Laurie. Tickets: $30 incl. show with gourmet supper. Bookings: 0400 867 872 www.famda.org.au ■ Hartwell Players Inc: Hamlet (by William Shakespeare) Until April 16 at Ashwood College Performing Arts Centre, Vannam Drive, Ashwood. Director: Phoebe Anne Taylor. Tickets: $18/$12. Bookings: 9513 9581 www.hartwellplayers.org.au ■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: Six of the Best (by Chris Hodson) Until April 16 at 8.15pm, April 10 at 5.15pm at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Bob Bramble. Tickets: $25/$23. Bookings: 1300 650209. www.sherbrooketc.org.au ■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: I Do Not Like Thee Dr. Fell (by Bernard Farrell) April 8 - 30 at 15 Coronation St., Geelong West. Director: Colin Urquhart. Tickets: $25/$23. Bookings: 5225 1200. www.geelongrep.com.au ■ Adelphi Players Theatre Company: The Night of the Ding Dong (by Ralph Peterson) Until April 10 at Labassa Mansion, 2 Manor Grove, Caulfield North. Director: Michael Mace. Tickets: Full $15 / $12 (National Trust Members / Concessions). Bookings: 9690 1593 ■ Purely Pensive Productions: Secret Bridesmaids' Business (by Elizabeth Coleman) April 7, 8, 9 at 8pm at the Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre, Cnr. Sydney and Glenlyon Rds., Brunswick. Director: Kathryn Lynch. Tickets: $20/$16. Bookings: www.purelypensive.com.au ■ Frankston Theatre Group: Twelve Angry Men (by Reginald Rose, adapted by Sherman Segal) April 14, 15, 16 at 8pm, April 16, 17 at 2pm at the George Jenkins Theatre, Monash University, McMahons Rd., Frankston. Tickets: $26.50, PSSU $24.50. Bookings: 9905 1111. ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: The Business of Murder (by Richard Harris) April 21 - May 7 at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: John Jenkins. Tickets: $25/$20. Bookings: 9457 4117. www.htc.org.au
● Rachel Juhasz will delight audiences as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Photo: Gavin D. Andrew
SHOWS
● Trainee Guide Dog puppy Monty (Lily Fish) tries to ignore the temptation of sausages in Monty and Melville being presented at Theatre Works, St Kilda from April 9 - 16 at 11.00am (not Sunday).
■ Dandenong Theatre Company: Rewind/Fast-forward April 15 - 30 at 8pm, April 23 at 2pm at the Hallam Community Theatre, Hallam Senior College, Frawley Rd., Hallam. Director/ Choreographer: Gulcan Gulen; Musical Director: Trent Bockman. Bookings: 0407 004548. ■ Eltham Little Theatre: A Month of Sundays April 28 - May 14 at the Performing Arts Centre, 1602 Main Rd., Research. Director: Mel de Bono. Tickets: $20/$16. Bookings: 9437 1574. Players Theatre Company: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown May 6, 7, 12, 13 at 8pm; May 8 at 2pm; May 14 at 5pm at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd.., Doncaster. Director: Ryan Purdy; Musical Director: Jenter Zilm; Choreographer: Miranda Brooks. Tickets: $30/$27. Bookings: 0434 669594. ● Turn To Page 66
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - Page 63
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Page g 64 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y, g April , 6, 2011 Melbourne
Observer
Lovatts Crossword No 11 Across
1. More droopy 6. Dig 11. Legendary gold city (2,6) 15. Having a poor ear for pitch (4-4) 20. Relations 21. Undue speed 22. Pen name, ... de plume 23. Gleefully chuckles 24. Tent supports (3,5) 25. Jesus' home town 27. Singing with trills 28. Prima donna 29. Writer, ... Thomas 31. The O of PTO 32. A wolf in ... clothing (5'1) 36. ANC hero, Nelson ... 37. Within house 38. Lovely 41. Dutch centre of govt, The ... 44. Fishing-line fibre 45. Sample 48. Way of life 49. Very busy 52. Goose & ... 56. Out-of-vogue star (3-4) 57. Small stone 58. Most uptight 61. Arduous experience 62. Foretold 63. West African nation, Sierra ... 64. Warms 65. Fools 66. Cleaver 67. Without artifice 71. Toadstools 73. Silly 75. Catastrophes 80. Ignore 82. Ice-cream desserts 83. Globes 85. Acting as go-between 86. Treat cruelly (3-3) 88. African disease fly 90. Nourishing drinks (3,5) 91. Bible song 93. Current flow rating 94. Interjectors 95. Ski headwear accessory 96. Military flying facility (3,4) 97. No part 99. Burial vault 100. Removed from power 104. Hoist (flag) 105. Cat cry 106. Of sheep 107. Leaseholders 111. Slightly wet 113. Crab's pinch 114. Have 115. Wrath 117. Pitch tent 118. Should, ... to 121. Tribal post, ... pole 122. Moved slowly 125. Field 126. Jump high 127. The ... of Capri 129. Assistant 131. Opposed to 132. Releases grip (4,2) 135. Among 136. Emerald Isle 139. Hordes 140. Scolded 144. Eagle's nest 145. Chick's call 146. Aimed 147. Disengage (train carriages) 148. Splendid (mansion)
Across
Down
149. Public square 150. Lacking originality 152. Customary 154. Baton races 157. Flying saucers (1,1,2) 158. Blabs 162. Matching outfit 163. Meagre 166. Flag down (cab) 167. Speech defect 169. Butterfly catchers 171. Biblical you 172. US moon rocket 173. Composer, Andrew ... Webber 175. Cloth fold 176. Chock 179. Culminate in (4,2) 180. Wash lightly 182. Recline, ... down 183. Repetitive strain injury (1,1,1) 184. Grind (meat) 186. Powder, ... of Paris 189. Thread 190. Peace pact 191. Sense receptor 192. Said 196. Tenant's payment 197. Bellow 198. Vermouth cocktail 199. Remnants 201. Playing for time 202. Harvesters 203. Roof overhangs 204. Last Russian tsar 205. Entangle 208. To the rear 210. Bridge designer 211. Sector 212. Outdoors (4-3) 213. Sinks in middle 215. Unfavoured horses 219. Lead-in 221. Sunday joint 223. Not perfumed 227. Juvenile 228. Ambassador's office 230. Move with effort 231. Cut wildly 232. Pillages 233. Mutilate 234. Admire 238. Delighted 239. First 240. Meal 243. Approval 246. Loosen 247. Dough ingredient 250. Corn husks 251. Out of style 253. Laughing scavengers 256. Frequent visitor 257. Female betrothed 258. Cease 262. Spy, ... Hari 263. Steak cut (1-4) 266. Ark builder 268. WA wine-growing region, ... River 269. Business income 270. Artist's medium (3,5) 271. Sewer coverings 272. Born as 273. Man-made fabric 274. Raises (the ante) 275. Climbs down 276. London/Edinburgh express, Flying ... 277. Lacy robe 278. Roomy
1. Confronts 2. Holed atmosphere layer 3. Erect (3,2) 4. ... out a living 5. Coming up (of sun) 7. Red pepper spice 8. Brutal 9. Michael Flatley's Lord of ... (3,5) 10. Simple 11. Famous volcano 12. Inclinations 13. Continually (2,3,2) 14. Phenomenal 15. Turrets 16. Actor, ... Sharif 17. Fire fragment 18. Remove from home 19. Misty 24. Pastime 26. Multitude 30. Lounges about 33. Barn dance 34. Distinguished 35. Actor, Sam ... 38. Ringing (of bell) 39. Nudged 40. Drama venue 42. Afresh 43. Unties 46. Junkies 47. Compared to 49. Cooperative 50. Top of head 51. List down 53. Non-believer in God 54. Roman moon goddess 55. Staff schedules 59. Proximity 60. Able to be rubbed out 67. Uncared-for 68. Traffic jam (5-2) 69. Undoes (envelope) 70. Sly suggestion 72. Opening 74. Telling 76. Debatable 77. Energies 78. Copy 79. Siblings 81. Until now 84. Mattress frame 87. Paint thinners 89. Called 91. Autocue 92. Insane lady 98. Fireplace shelf 101. TV host, ... Dingo 102. Egg shapes 103. Give work to 108. Stoat 109. Colloquial language 110. Inspire 112. Inventiveness 116. Feared Mongolian ruler (7,4) 119. Inattentive 120. Grotesquely 123. Small coffee cup 124. Welcoming 128. Clinging gastropods 130. Hero-worship
Down 132. Feebler 133. Fish commercially 134. Survive (3,2) 137. Turn out 138. Disgust 141. Granny Smith fruit 142. Cogwheel set 143. Personal memoirs 151. On dry land 153. Lucky charm 155. Dismiss (from college) 156. Map book 159. Desire for food 160. Tethered (4,2) 161. Pleads 164. Swiftly 165. Fluid unit 168. Laziness 170. Glimmers 173. Unused portion 174. Public referee 177. Filth 178. Coming into view 181. Water (pasture) 185. River flows 186. Allspice 187. Orange/pink shade 188. Libya's capital 193. Afternoon break 194. Vote back into office (2-5) 195. Wanted 200. Uniformity 201. Divide 206. Not either 207. Car horns 208. Takes into custody 209. Type of spanner 211. Appoints 214. Sultan's wife 216. Sissy 217. Austere 218. Disappoints 220. Hobo 222. Conscious (of fact) 224. Held tenderly 225. Subtleties of meaning 226. Infinite 229. Famous US university 232. Army dining room 235. And so forth (2,6) 236. Greek philosopher 237. Coffee drug 241. Legal trade ban 242. Lawsuits 244. Surgical blade 245. Kissing & cuddling 248. Eases off 249. Which 251. Repressed, ... up 252. Postage stickers 253. Hot & damp 254. Gains 255. Proverb 259. Moral principle 260. Eskimo hut 261. Cricket matches 262. Fix 264. Roughage 265. Midday 267. Padlock clasp
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - Page 65
Solution on Page 56
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Page 66 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne
Observer Victorian Sport
ROUND 2: WHAT DID WE LEARN?
■ There were some disturbing messages coming out of Round 2. First, like Round 1 the crowds were again down on the corresponding Round last year. The weekend drew 270,493 which are 47,402 less than 2010 and with last week’s drop of 19,458 we are down by 66,860. This is not an encouraging sign. Secondly umpires continue to get in the path of players and Swans Kieran Jack has copped a fine of $1800 for a second offence this time contact to Troy Pannell. And there is a push for increasing Field Umpires to four! They will be colliding into one another so who will pay the fine? Thirdly the champions are testing the new “sub” rule this time St Kilda’s brilliant centre-man Lenny Hayes who will miss the rest of the season and Richmond’s ‘Jumping’ Jack Riewoldt off early into the 2nd quarter with a controversial concussion. It affected the Saints fight back and the Tigers opportunity to go further ahead at a critical stage and in the end both teams had to settle for a draw. Unusual as this followed last week’s draw between Melbourne and Sydney Swans. I believe it enhances Paul Roos’s suggestion for a 4 plus 1 (sub) which means five I/C which surely beggars the question why did the AFL bother to change it in the first place? Fourthly, it is early days but there are ominous signs about four teams’ competitive chances this season. Obviously the Gold Coast Suns are serving their ‘apprenticeship’ year while Brisbane Lions are all at sea without skipper Jonathon Brown. North Melbourne and Melbourne with youthful lists will find it difficult to win consistently. Melbourne
Observer
hinds and the come from behind after being 28 points down by the Sydney Swans to defeat Essendon by 5 points. It was thanks to Adam Goodes’ move to the midfield and Jude Bolton up forward with a repeat three goals as he did last week to snatch the draw with Melbourne. It was a triumph for new coach John Longmire. Friday night Collingwood unfurls its Premiership Flag in the ‘big Mac Cup’ against rivals Carlton at the sell out match at the MCG in aid of the Peter MacCullam Cancer Research Melbourne
Observer
Harry Beitzel www.squidoo.com/harrybeitzel On the other hand Essendon and WCEs could be the big improvers because the current I/C bench suits them with their top class ruckmen in David Hille, Pat Ryder and Tom Bellchambers (31H/O) and the Eagles have a fit Dean Cox (34) and Nick Naitanui (19) and these players can be dangerous playing up-forward. In respect to ruckmen and the amount of work they do in a game. I researched the number of ball-ups after goals, at the start of each quarter, ball-ups in general play and boundary throw-ins and they total approximately 75 per match (Rd 2 it was 71) which equates to a ruck contest in less than every two minutes of play. Further this means endless wrestling, grabbing of arms, pushing and shoving to decide who is the stronger. Do we want to see this World
Showbiz Extra
Championship Wrestling as AFL footy in comparison to the ‘old style’ ruck greats like Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer and John Nicholls with their exquisite ‘tap-down’ skills? The Laws of the Game cover the current tactics but the umpires’ don’t bother to enforce them paying the first breach with a free. Round 2 results highlighted the experienced older players were the stars in their teams’ victories. I was impressed with newcomers W Bulldogs Tom Liberatore (28D), Brisbane’s Rohan Bewick (23D5M), Dons’ Dyson Heppell (21D 6M) and especially young Hawk Matt Suckling (32D, 11M, 2gls). There will be more recruits shining in future weeks. The thrillers were the tied Saints v Richmond, Geelong by 11 points over the inaccurate Fremantle’s 18 be● From Page One
LOGIES NOMINEES
TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE Most Popular Presenter Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks, ABC1) Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten) Hamish Blake (Hamish & Andy 'Specials', Network Ten) Karl Stefanovic (Today, Nine Network) Shaun Micallef (Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, Network Ten) MOST POPULAR NEW MALE TALENT Charles Cottier (Home And Away, Channel Seven) Eddie Perfect (Offspring, Network Ten) Firass Dirani (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network) Manu Feildel (My Kitchen Rules, Channel Seven) Ryan Corr (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven) MOST POPULAR NEW FEMALETALENT Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten) Emma Booth (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network) Hannah Marshall (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven) Julie Goodwin (Home Cooked! With
Julie Goodwin, Nine Network) Poh Ling Yeow (Poh's Kitchen, ABC1) MOST POPULAR DRAMA SERIES Home And Away (Channel Seven) Neighbours (Network Ten) Offspring (Network Ten) Packed To The Rafters (Channel Seven) Rush (Network Ten) Underbelly: The Golden Mile (Nine Network) MOST POPULAR LIGHT ENTERTAINMENTPROGRAM Good News Week (Network Ten) Hey Hey It's Saturday (Nine Network) Sunrise (Channel Seven) Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation (Network Ten) The Circle (Network Ten) MOST POPULAR LIFESTYLE PROGRAM Better Homes And Gardens (Channel Seven) Domestic Blitz (Nine Network) Getaway (Nine Network) Grand Designs Australia (Foxtel [The Lifestyle Channel]) Ready Steady Cook (Network Ten) MOST POPULAR SPORTS PROGRAM
Before The Game (Network Ten) The Footy Show (AFL) (Nine Network) The Footy Show (NRL) (Nine Network) The Matty Johns Show (Channel Seven) Wide World Of Sports (Nine Network) MOST POPULAR REALITY PROGRAM Dancing With The Stars (Channel Seven) MasterChef Australia (Network Ten) The Biggest Loser Australia (Network Ten) The Farmer Wants A Wife (Nine Network) The X Factor (Channel Seven) Most Outstanding Nominees TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE - Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie Hawke (Network Ten) Packed To The Rafters (Channel Seven) Rake (ABC1) Rush (Network Ten) Sisters Of War (ABC1) Underbelly: The Golden Mile (Nine Network) Full list of nominees at www.tvweek.com.au
Appeal. Hopefully the game can live up to all the hype.
Theatre Extra
Non-Pro Theatre ■ Beaumaris Theatre: Cinderella (Rodgers and Hammerstein) May 6, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 at 8pm, May 7, 14, 21 at 5pm, May 8, 15, 22 at 2pm at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Debbie Keyt: Musical Director: Rhonda Vaughan; Choreographer: Camilla Klesman. Tickets: $25/$22, Family ticket $80 (2 adults and 2 children under 16). May 6 Gala Night $27/$24. ■ Premmle Players: Music and Mayhem (a play of songs, dance, laughter and surprises, created by Erik Donnison and Laurie Davis) May, 7, 14, Showtime 7.30pm (doors open at 6.30pm); May 8, 15, Showtime 3.00pm (doors open at 2.00pm) at the Mt Eliza Community Centre, 90-100 Canadian Bay Rd. BYO food and drink. Tickets: $27.50 (incl. $2.50 booking fee) $13.75 (Children under 15, incl. $1.25 booking fee). Bookings via Peninsula Visitors' Information Centre, 9.00am - 5.00pm or phone 5987 3078, or in person at 359B Pt. Nepean Rd., Dromana, or online at www.peninsulahospice.com.au All funds to Peninsula Hospice Services. ■ The Warrandyte ‘55 Plus’ Variety Group seeks additional members for concerts later this year. Musicians, singers, dancers, comedians and backstage helps are welcome. Expert tuition is available from within the group which rehearses on Mondays in Warrandyte. Phone Allan on 9877 1077 for details.
Guests on 98.1FM ■ Memories of the Sunnyside Up TV program will be revived this afternoon (Wed.) on Radio Eastern 98.1 FM when Ray Lawrence is joined for his Matinee program by Shirlene
● Sirlene Clancy
● From Page 62
Clancy and Laurie Levey. The 2pm program will be co-hosted by Roy Hampson.
Red Carpet time
■ Next week’s opening of Doctor Zhivago will have all the Hollywood red carpet glamour with stars attending Her Majesty’s Theatre including composer Lucy Simon, producers Anita Waxman and Tom Dokton, Robyn Baillieu, Sigrid Thornton, Helen Morse, Jeanne Pratt, Hannie Rayson, Sheila Scotter, Patricia Ilhan, Sue Nattrass, Sue Lloyd-Williams, John Clark, Andrew Clark, Julia Blake, Chris Lilley, Jane Badler, David Parker, Nadia Tass, Joanna Murray-Smith, Tom Gleisner, Diane Masters, Mal Walden, Peter Stubbs, Richard Stubbs, Yumi Stynes, Patti Newton, Jennifer Keyte, Neil Mitchell, Livinia Nixon,Alan Fletcher, Helen Kapalos, Brett Sheehy, Stephen Found, Glenn Robbins, Mark Holden, Annette Allison, Kerry Armstrong, Rhonda Burchmore, Michael Hirsh, Alannah Hill, and Jo Hall VIP guests will then attend an elegant soiree at The Long Room, in the iconic Georges building, Collins St, where there will be red roses aplenty and vodka flowing.
New late show
■ Christo and Katie, the breakfast duo formerly of The Edge, can be heard on air at Nova, weeknights from 10pm, after Lowie’s Super Awesome Mega Mega Show. Christo and Katie said, "We're totally excited about making the move to Nova, it's a dream job. “We've both been doing breakfast radio for years, so it's going to be fun to have a crack at the other end of the day and not waking up at 4am is going to be a total bonus.” Totally. Committed to developing new talent, Nova recognised Christo and Katie’s potential and signed them for a new national late night show, said General Manager Sam Thompson. Paul Jackson, Group Program Director at DMG Radio Australia said, “Christo and Katie are outstanding talent. “They’re passionate about new music and will be breaking loads of songs and having loads of fun every week night. Along with Fitzy and Wippa, and Lowie, we have world class national shows across Nova”. Christo and Katie’s new late night show will allow listeners to discover the best new music from Australia and overseas, Mr Jackson said.
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - Page 67
Melbourne
Observer Victorian Sport
Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 60
ALL SYSTEMS GO AT PAKENHAM ■ Great news for racegoers and horse lovers, with news that the Pakenham Racing Club has sold their picturesque racetrack for a reported $38 million. Pakenham’s Chief Executive, Michael Hodge, was over the moon when the sale went through and added that the Club has also 3000 square metres of residential land opposite the course, which he feels should add another $1 million to the coffers. He added that the Club was very happy with the result, giving them the chance to move ahead with their proposed track at Tynong, just up the road. Michael said “It means we can fund what we have planned, without compromise”. “While racing begins at the new track at Tynong in August 2013, we now expect to vacate the current site in March 2013.” Hodge said he expected horses would be training at Tynong by the time that the Pakenham site ran its final meeting. The new track will be a beauty, with a 408 metre straight, and a track that will be 2404 metres in circumference and varying distances starting off with 1000, 1200, 1400, 1500, 1600 and 1700 metres. They are very confident of getting the nod from Racing Victoria to put in a synthetic track 2000 metres in circumference. They are in the last three applying to install the synthetic track, along with Flemington, which has gone a bit cold on the idea, and Caulfield. Michael feels they are a $1.20 chance to get the nod. The entire property at Tynong is 608 acres, much larger than Flemington. Some 150 acres of the 608 will be offered to trainers to purchase different size pieces of land. They range from 5000 square metres, 7500 square metres, and 10,000 square metres, or half acre lots Another great added feature will be an $8 million event centre, along with a tunnel, two sand
Ted Ryan
DVD Recommendations Verdict: Comic great Mel Brooks does to the horror genre what he did for westerns with Blazing Saddles, the brilliant side-splitting parody of the Universal classics Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein, as Dr. Frankenstein's grandson, after years of living down the family reputation, inherits his grandfather's castle and repeats the legendary experiments with unforgettable, laugh-out-loud results, everything just falls right into place right from the opening frame to the last, Marty Feldman is a standout as Igor in the best and funniest big screen role of his career, a classic! FILM:
Coulthard at Pakenham recently, and he was full of praise for Brett who puts his heart and soul into the job, and in recent times
has been under the pump, with all the disappointments they have had at the Yarra Valley track. I have worked un-
der Brett for some three years now, and he is superb to work with along with his top team. - Ted Ryan
Observer Racing
tracks, and a fully roofed race day’ training stalls and the stage 1 Trainer allotments as mentioned earlier. Even when they pull up stumps at Pakenham they will hold on to their lucrative pokies venue, the Cardinia Club, which is going ahead in leaps and bounds. It’s great news for the Pakenham Racing Club under Michael, his hard working staff and Committee.
Top move ■ In a very smart move, the Victoria Racing Club, in their wisdom, have introduced a new ruling that the top 35 horses in the 2011 Melbourne Cup order of entry will have to undergo a veterinary examinations before final acceptances. Racing Victoria’s Chief Steward, Terry Bailey, said that the vet check process would start on the Thursday before Derby Day. He said it would be completed the next day on the eve of the Victoria Derby meeting at Flemington. Any horses with issues would have to be cleared to race before 5pm on Derby Day. “Any horse that is doubtful, connections will have until 5pm to prove otherwise. VRC Chief Executive, Dale Monteith, said “Any horse not declared fit before acceptances would not be allowed to be a final acceptor, thus eliminating the likeli-
hood of Cup eve or morning scratching, as has been the case in the past two years”. It is unlikely similar vet checks will be undertaken for the Caulfield Cup, which has emergencies, or the Cox Plate, which rarely has a capacity field.
Moe in trouble ■ Yet another Victorian country racetrack is having track problems. The recent meeting scheduled for Moe had to be transferred to Sale, now it looks like they will lose their important ANZAC Day meeting on April 25. Work is continuing to repair damage caused by flash flooding recently. During an inspection a partly collapsed drain was discovered, which forced the entire track to be inspected by engineers. Racing Victoria had no option, but to close the track for both racing and training. No return date has been set for a return to racing or training.
Top CEO re-signs ■ In a coup, the Yarra Valley Racing Club was quick to re-sign their hard working Chief Executive, Brett Shambrook, for a further three years. I was having a chat with popular President of Yarra Valley, Barry
THE FALCON AND THE SNOWMAN: Drama/Thriller. Timothy Hutton, Sean
Genre: Cast: Penn. Years: 1985. Rating: M. Running Time: 131 Minutes. Format: DVD & BLU-RAY. Stars: ***1/2 Verdict: Compelling thriller based on the true story of a disillusioned military contractor employee and his childhood friend who became walk-in spies for the Soviet Union, great performances throughout, most notably Sean Penn, and tightly controlled direction by the Oscar winning John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy, The Day of the Locust, Marathon Man and Pacific Heights, among others) pull of this complex story with chilling and thought provoking results. - James Sherlock ■ From Page 60
Top 10 Lists
● Melbourne Cup: Americain (G.Mosse). Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 Melbourne
Observer
The Final Word
RATIONAL AND GREEN
■ Peter Maxwell sends these thoughts: “Have you ever wondered what side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test! ■ If a rational person doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one. If a Green doesn't like guns, they want all guns outlawed. ■ If a rational person is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat. If a Green is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone. ■ If a rational person is homosexual, he quietly leads his life. If a Green is homosexual, he demands legislated respect. ■ If a rational person is down-andout, he thinks about how to better his situation. A Green wonders who is going to take care of him. ■ If a rational person doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels. Greens demand that those they don't like be shut down. ■ If a rational person is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church. A Green non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. (Unless it's a foreign religion, of course!) ■ If a rational person likes to visit a forests, he will. If a Green likes a forest, he will
want to turn it into a national park and keep people out. want to turn it into a national park and keep people out. ■ If a rational person reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh. A Green will delete it because he/she is "offended”.
Operators face Court ■ The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against the former operators of a Melbourne call centre for allegedly failing to pay five workers. Facing court are Mark Vincent Gulifa and Doreen Mifsud, as well as the company they formerly jointly owned, Reacta Staffing Solutions Pty Ltd. Through their company, Mr Gulifa and Ms Mifsud previously ran an outbound sales call centre in Ravenhall trading as 'Big Mouth Malone'. It is alleged the couple failed to pay five workers a total of $3147 for work performed for the company.
MOVE OVER, DARLING [1963/Comedy/Romance/Doris Day, James Garner]. RALLY 'ROUND THE FLAG, BOYS! [1958/ Comedy/Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward]. TAKE HER, SHE'S MINE [1963/Comedy/ James Stewart, Sandra Dee, Robert Morley]. HEIST [Crime/Thriller/Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Sam Rockwell, Delroy Lindo]. NEW RELEASE DVD TV/DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS: HOLLYWOOD SINGING & DANCING: A Musical History - 5 Disc Box Set. BEST OF RONNIE BARKER. ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS COLLECTION: 10 Disc Box Set. THE CIVIL WAR - Commemorative Edition: 150th Anniversay [Ken Burns]. NEW TO MUSIC ON DVD: WHEN YOU'RE STRANGE: A FILM ABOUT THE DOORS. ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO 2010. TOP BLU-RAY SELLERS: 1. RED [Action/Comedy/Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Brian Cox, Ernest Borgnine]. 2. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader [Fantasy/Adventure]. 3. BAMBI: Diamond Edition [1942/Animated/Family/Classic/Hardie Albright, Thelma Boardman]. 4. THE SOCIAL NETWORK [Drama/Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justine Timberlake]. 5. THE TOWN [Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Pete Postlethwaite]. 6. MACHETE [Action/Thriller/Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez]. 7. TOY STORY 3 [Animated/Family/Comedy/ Tom Hanks, Michael Keaton, Don Rickles]. 8. WILD TARGET [Action/Comedy/Crime/Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt]. 9. DEVIL [Horror/Thriller/Geoffrey Arend, Bojana Novakovic, Logan Marshall-Green]. 10. THE EXPENDABLES [Action/Thriller/ Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis]. - James Sherlock
Page 68 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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Melbourne
Observer Victorian Sport Racing Briefs
Trio greet the judge ■ Training a treble of winners is nothing new to Great Western's Peter Manning and that's what occurred at Terang on Tuesday, with Going Commando, Rough And Tumble and Effective Torque all greeting the judge. Ultra consistent 5-Y-0 Cr Commando/Brite Paula gelding Going Commando finally broke his Australian maiden status, when successful in the Lew & Olive Welsh Memorial Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2180 metres. Driven by daughter Kerryn, Going Commando began with plenty of zest from the 10 metre mark to lead virtually throughout in a 2-01.9 rate, easily accounting for Outpunch Encounter which trailed and Alabamadon (one/one - three wide home turn). Four year old Western Terror/Torquen Power gelding Rough And Tumble chalked up his 5th victory, by taking The Standard Pace for C2 class over 2180 metres with Kerryn again in the sulky. Restrained from gate four to possie four back in the moving line, Rough And Tumble was sent forward three wide solo racing for the bell and sustained the effort to outstay the hot favourite Panorama Wealth which faced the open outside the roughie Penny Bunger, with the pair drawing clear on the final bend. Thewaytolive finished third after following the winner home. The mile rate 1-59.7. Iron 5-Y-0 Jennas Beach Boy/Hot Reaction mare Effective Torque (Matt Craven) having her 111th outing (27 this season), led throughout to snare the Phonse Hickey Memorial Pace for C5 to C7 class over 2180 metres in a rate of 2-01.1. Beginning a lot quicker than usual from gate three, Effective Torque had little difficulty in crossing the polemarker Hyland Zali (Kerryn Manning) to lead throughout in defeating the Mt Gambier visitor Pure Jasper which raced outside her, with Hyland Zali holding her spot to wind up third.
In-form at Ballarat ■ At Bray Raceway Ballarat on Wednesday, Kilmore trainer Paul Weidenbach's in-form Cr Commando/Kelly Ryan gelding Ryans Commando chalked up his 4th victory (three this season) by taking out the Bar Fridges Australia Trotters Handicap for T1 or better class over 2200 metres. Trotting faultlessly for niece Monique Burnett, Ryans Commando possied three back in the moving line from the 10 metre mark, moving to be one/one for the last half of the race after Inda Photo had crossed the leader Imatrotnosky. Giving chase to the leaders on turning, Ryans Commando proved too strong at the finish for a game Button Brigade which raced without cover, with Inda Photo weakening for third. The mile rate 2-06.7.
This Week’s Meetings ■ The biggest provincial pacing carnival in Victoria commences at Mildura next Tuesday, culminating with the $50,000 (Group 2) Mildura Cup being held on Saturday April 16. Meetings for the week : ■ Wednesday - Maryborough/Bendigo, ■ Thursday - Diamond Valley@Melton/Shepparton, ■ Friday - Yarra Valley/Melton, ■ Saturday - Ballarat, ■ Sunday - Kilmore, ■ Monday - Horsham, ■ Tuesday - Mildura (First night of Cup Carnival).
Horses To Follow ■ Check The Stars, Braeview Creation, Cost Me A Quid, Grace Artois, Deftly, Calleija, Black Caprice, Button Brigade, Zoomba, Funny Car, Ninegrandsons, Mondayitis.
AUSSIES DOMINATE IN NZ ■ Australia continued to dominate at the second and final round of I-D heats in Auckland on Friday, taking both pacers divisions and one trotters heat. Pre post Grand Final favourite Imthemightyquinn (W-A) blew his rivals away with a brilliant exhibition to capture the first heat in advance of Mr Feelgood (Q'land) and Monkey King (N-Z) in a rate of 1-57.2. Settling three back the markers from gate two on the second line with Mr Feelgood leading, Imthemightyquinn when taken into the clear halfway up the running, sprinted like a gazelle to score running away, leaving Mr Feelgood in his wake (last quarter 27.9). Two time New Zealand Cup winner Monkey King only battled to finish third after trailing the leader. Victorian Smoken Up led throughout from the pole to take the second heat as he pleased. Never in any danger, Smoken Up reeled off a final half mile in 56.9 quarter 29.1 in accounting for Queensland's Blacks A Fake (one/four - three wide trail last lap) in 1-55.9, with Smiling Shard (N-Z) an improved effort to finish third after facing the open for the final circuit. Superstar Victorian trotter Let Me Thru came from last in an unbelievable performance to land the second trotters heat from Springbank Richard and I Can Doosit in 2-00.7 and will start a raging hot favourite in the Grand Final. The first trotters heat saw an all New Zealand trifecta, with Raydon defeating Stylish Monarch and Sovereignty. The shock of the race being the late scratching of two time winner Sundons Gift only a half hour before the race due to lameness. Australia will have six runners in this Friday's Pacers Grand Final : Imthemightyquinn, Smoken Up, Me Feelgood, Blacks A Fake, Washakie and Villagam, while Let Me Thru and Danny Cash will carry the flag in the Trotters Final. ■ Four time winner Blacks A Fake will create history by becoming the first horse to ever contest six Inter Dominion Grand Finals.
So hot! ■ When you're hot you're hot and Port Fairy residents Richard and Pauline Matthews apart from having a ball with their outstanding trotters Let Me
Baker’s Delight
Harness Racing
First winner for veteran
Melbourne
Observer
len-baker@ bigpond.com
Giant killer at Terang
with Len Baker
Thru and Miss Bullion of late, snared another winner at the Geelong fixture on Monday March 27, when Christian Cullen/ Sagrantino colt Vintage Cullen scored on debut in the Bartlett's Environmental 3-Y-0 Pace over 1609 metres. Purchased at the New Zealand yearling sales, Vintage Cullen trained at Long Forest by Andy Gath and driven by wife Kate, settled in an awkward position buried four back along the markers from inside the second row, bottled up for most of the race. Somehow extricated into the clear to be three wide with a double trail in the last lap, Vintage Cullen despite making the final bend six wide, ran home strongly to gain the day over another first starter Mondayitis from last which was even wider on the home turn, going down by a nose in a tricky finish, with Dufflecoat Jet Lag third. The mile rate 2-00.9.
Massive day ■ On what was a massive day for the Bacchus Marsh/Parwan area, Michael Chircop was successful with 5-Y-0 Armbro Operative/Nicky Vee mare Jaylyse in the TAB Sportsbet Pace for C0 class over 2100 metres to break her maiden status at start number 15.. With Rodney Petroff holding the reins, Jaylyse raced by Michael and Jason Fenech, led throughout from the pole in defeating Blue Star Village (three wide last lap) and Goodsie in a rate of 2-04.8.
1.9m win ■ Jodi Quinlan then joined the party, when 4Y-0 Village Jasper/Kano Home mare Illawong Kath greeted the judge in the SEW-Eurodrive Pace for C0 class over 2100 metres as a prohibitive $1.10 favourite.
■ Astute Bannockburn (Geelong) trainer Geoff Webster landed his first winner for veteran Narre Warren owner/breeder Arthur Fullwood after taking over the team, when beautifully bred Christian Cullen/Vernett gelding Narre Boy snared the Noir Rover 3-Y-0 Pace over 1680 metres at Terang on debut. With stable reinsman Greg Sugars holding the reins, Narre Boy from gate four came out running to lead and was never extended in winning easily in a 1-59.5 mile rate from Special Agent Oso which trailed and Mystic Sunset (three back the markers).
Not pushed out from gate three, Illawong Kath settled three back in the moving line, before being sent forward when the pace eased to park outside the leader Third Tee which rushed forward from outside the front row. Joining the pacemaker on the home turn, Illawong Kath asserted her superiority over the final stages to register a 1.9 metre victory over Third Tee in 200.2, with Iamnotabindi (one/one) third.
Blooming ■ The Andy/Kate Gath juggernaut continued at Terang on Tuesday, when improving 4-Y-0 Village Jasper/Nora Barnacle gelding Leopold Bloom led throughout from gate six to land the Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory Pace for C1 class over 1680 metres in a 1-58.5 mile rate, much to the delight of 3AW and Melbourne Observer occasional columnist Keith McGowan and wife Angie who race her, with Keith the breeder. Always travelling, Leopold Bloom set his rivals a tough task, racing away to score by a conservative 10 metres in advance of Our Cicero from near last and Lady Tottingham which chased in vain third.
Combined ■ Rockbank's Joe Pace and brother Darren combined to record the easiest victory ever, when classy Dream Away/Final Verdict filly Dream Verdict blitzed her rivals in the Terang Co-Op Pace for C0 class (mares) over 2180 metres at Terang. Beginning with a wing on every foot from gate six, Dream Verdict led throughout in defeating a death-seating Conchita Sound by 31 metres in a 2-00.9 rate, with Romian Eagle (three back the markers - one/one home turn) third.
■ Mt Gambier's David Drury is proving to be a giant killer when making his regular visits over the border and landed the Barastoc Pace for C0 class over 2180 metres at Terang with heavily supported 4-Y-0 Holmes Hanover/Gilt Laughter gelding Guapo Bromac. In what was a tough effort, Guapo Bromac going for three straight wins after two Mt Gambier victory's, did it hard but did it well after racing wide for the entire trip from gate six, dashing clear on the home turn to score in 2-00.5 over Tartan Art (one/ one), with Brazillian Monk another of the Webster team running home late for third.
Unique trifecta finish ■ It was a unique Conroy family trifecta to the finish of the Tabcorp Park Melton Trotters Claiming Handicap over 2240 metres at Melton on Thursday, with Musk Vale trainer/driver Glenn Conroy's Pepperell Victory defeating cousin Eddie Conroy's Cost Me A Quid, with Anne-Maree Conroy third aboard father Bob's Ex Con. Given a lovely trip one/one from the 10 metre mark with Idol Extrovert facing the open, Pepperell Victory eased three wide approaching the home turn, forcing Cost Me A Quid which was trailing four wide. With the pair swooping on straightening, Pepperell Victory proved too strong over the concluding stages for Cost Me A Quid, with Ex Con failing to run out the journey to finish third. A 8-Y-0 Westgate Victory/Special Code gelding, Pepperell Victory raced by Glenn and daughter Lyndal returned a mile rate of 2-06.1 in recording his first victory since December 2007.
Authority asserted ■ At Maryborough on Wednesday, Parwan's Jodi Quinlan and Craig Demmler each provided a winner with Illawong Sister Styx (Demmler) taking the Emerson Printing 3-Y-0 Pace over 1690 metres & Lombo Flashlight (Quinlan) the Maryborough Toyworld Pacers Handicap for C0 class over 2190 metres, both handled to perfection by Jodi. Illawong Sister Styx (Christian Cullen/Smart Dame) was eased from gate six to settle four back in the moving line, before setting off three wide solo in the last lap. Joining the pacemaker Rosy OGrady Lombo on the home turn, Illawong Sister Styx asserted her authority shortly after to score unextended from Slap On A Hat which trailed the leader and Miss Feelgood (three back the markers) in a rate of 1-59.8. Lombo Flashlight (Bettors Delight/Lombo Light Speed) having his first outing in a standing start event, began smoothly and after receiving the run of the race one/one, dashed to the front prior to the home turn to win in a breeze over Magical Bazz (four wide last lap from near last) and Rock Melody (one/two) in 2-05.8. Len Baker presents Harness Review a dedicated two hour program of harness news, views and interviews, on 97.9fm.net Len Baker has been going to the ‘trots’ since a very young age and has been involved as an owner, punter, bookmaker and devotee of the sport.
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