Page 54 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012
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Melbourne
Observer Victorian Sport
Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 48
YOU’RE SPOT ON, PETE
● Peter Moody Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754
Come back Lee ■ News that Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman had split with another top trainer, Graeme Rogerson, was on the cards as the whisper had been around the tracks in Victoria for some time. A number of keen judges in Victoria were disappointed when the likeable great trainer picked up sticks to move to the Coat Hanger City. One of the nicest racing people going around he will be warmly received back in Victoria by all and sundry. I had the pleasure of meeting Lee back in 1984, when I was working in television and Lee was starting out. It is now history now, that he went on to win, just about every classic going around: Melbourne Cups, five of them, with Tawriffic in 1989, Subzero,92, Doriemus, 95, and two with the great mare, Makybe Diva in 2004-05, he has won four Golden Slippers, Cox Plates and Caulfield Cups and Derbies. The news that Freedman would be returning has been around for a while and with his brother Anthony who took over the reins at Markdel at Mornington, taking out stables at Flemington, now is the ideal time to re-start the partnership. The brothers will confer over Christmas dinner and I am sure over a few ales. I may be a bit premature, but welcome back Lee. I would like to wish everyone and their families a Happy and Holy Christmas and a great New Year.
● Green Moon Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754
■ Top trainer Peter Moody is spot on with his suggestion to make Victoria the Mecca for world international horse races. Peter has called for racing authorities to come up with international events to attract the best here, rather than our gallopers having to go overseas to match their best. This was proven when his mighty mare the world's best sprinter Black Caviar, had to travel 30 hours to England and wasn't at her best, but still won the Queen Jubilee Event, just to show her class. I am sure we could attract international and Australian sponsors to back the proposals. One that comes to mind immediately is Emirates who back our Melbourne Cup and Emirates Stakes Day. Then you have BMW who support the Melbourne Racing Club with their Caulfield Cup. Then you have all the betting agencies such as Betfair, Sporting Bet, Centrebet, and TAB Sportsbet, whom I am sure would cast a keen eye over the proposal, to get their message across. Moody, according to Herald Sun iournalist Rod Nicholson, has suggested a day with a $3 million sprint, 1600, 2000 and 2400 metre races to really put Australia on the map. Peter said: "Every major race centre has their big days such as -The Breeder's Cup in America, Japan, Dubai, the UK and Hong Kong. He added that the Melbourne Cup was our only international event that attracts the best of the inter-nationals, but they still have to run 3200 metres (two- miles). Moody suggested that the Australian Racing Board could look at it. The day could probably be best suited in our Autumn, suggesting about three weeks before the Dubai World Championship meeting. He went on to say there is no reason that we couldn't be run in Melbourne one year, Sydney the next and even Queensland. Western Australia
Ted Ryan
What’s Hot, What’s Not FILM: JESUS OF NAZARETH: Cast: Robert Powell, Anne Bancroft, James Mason, Christopher Plummer. Genre: Drama/Historical. Year: 1977. Rating: G. Running Time: 373 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: **** Verdict: Director Franco Zefferelli's TV Mini Series has been beautifully remastered and is the complete epic available for the first time ever on DVD, this compelling and powerful portrait was four years in the making and went on to win numerous awards, the star studded cast are all superb, and combined with outstanding, cinematography, production and costume design, it all comes together to make excellent viewing, and be warned: try to avoid the shortened theatrical version. - James Sherlock ■ From Page 48
Top 10 Lists THE YOUNG SAVAGES [Drama/Crime/Burt Lancaster, Telly Savalas, Shelley Winters]. SCREAM BLACULA SCREAM [Horror/William Marshall, Pam Grier]. THE BOOST [Drama/Romance/James Woods, Sean Young].
could possibly pose a problem, but worth looking at. Moody's suggestion came after the news that the Victoria Racing Club has cut prizemoney for the Lightning Stakes in February by $250,000 and the Australian Guineas in March both now worth $500,000. Moody called for a cap on major races and financially support the "domestic races". He referred to one of his top gallopers in summarising the situation. “How can it be that one of my best Manighar can win three races and win $ 2.1 million, when the star of my stable Black Caviar who has won 22 races has earned only $6.8 million?” He added "There are too many imbalances, for instance Green Moon won the Melbourne Cup and picked up $3.8 million for his connections that is more than half the money won by my champion mare winning 22 in a row". Peter finalised his statements with the fact, that if Black Caviar comes up OK, she would return in the Lightning as it was an ideal start to her last campaign.
It’s Magic ■ The Magic Millions team is gearing up for yet another big year at their complex on the Gold Coast next year.
Ballarat's inaugural clockwise winner, I'M Too Sexy, leads the first order of entry released by Racing Queensland for next month's $2 million Jeep Magic Millions Classic. With $122,000 earned from her three length win, the Reann filly prepared by Victorian trainer, Mark Riley, has already clinched a start in Queensland's richest race. A pair of Gai Waterhouse trained Sydney winners are next on the table-Sweet Idea with $65,500 gained with her win and Breeder's Plate winner, Whittington who picked up $60,000 for his connections from his only start. Melbourne winner, Change of Honour is next with $57,000 ahead of Clockwise runner-up, Ticket to Toorak on $54,000. Sydney winner's Assail, Certitude and Champagne Catch are equal sixth in the order of entry for the Classic having all earned $48,750,(less bonuses) from their respective Sydney victories. Melbourne Stakes performer, Purrific and Brisbane winner, Choose A Saga, round out the top ten. The figures are up to including December 11.
NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: GOLD RUSH: Season 2. 21 JUMP STREET: Season 3. 21 JUMP STREET: Season 4. 21 JUMP STREET: Season 5. UNDERWATER UNIVERSE: Season One. GENE SIMMONS: Family Jewels - Season Six. SHARK WEEK: Air Jaws Apocalypse. SHARK WEEK: Ocean of Fear. SHARK WEEK: The Definitive Collection. STEPHEN HAWKING'S Grand Design. TOP BLU-RAY RENTAL & SELLERS: 1. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES [Action/Crime/ Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy]. 2. THE BOURNE LEGACY [Action/Drama/Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz]. 3. ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTIAL DRIFT 3D [Animated/Comedy/Ray Romano, Denis Leary]. 4. BRAVE 3D + 2D Blu-ray [Family/Animated/Adventure/Kelly MacDonald, Billy Connolly]. 5. TED: Extended Edition [Comedy/Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane]. 6. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN [Adventure/Fantasy/Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Stewart]. 7. THE SAPPHIRES [Music/Comedy/Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Chris O'Dowd]. 8. PROMETHEUS + DVD [Science Fiction/ Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender]. 9. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER [Action/Horror/Dominic Cooper]. 10. AVATAR 3D + DVD [Science Fiction/ Chris Hemsworth, Sigourney Weaver]. Also: The Dictator, Katy Perry: Part of Me, Magic Mike, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Arthur Christmas 3D + 2D Blu-ray, The Avengers 2D + 3D, Finding Nemo 3D, UP 3D, The Three Stooges, Bond 50, Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: TOTAL RECALL [Action/Science Fiction/Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale]. SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD [Comedy/Steve Carell, Keira Knightley]. HOPE SPRINGS [Romance/Comedy/Drama/ Tommy Lee Jones, Meryl Streep]. THE SAMARITAN [Crime/Drama/Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Wilkinson]. COSMOPOLIS [Drama/Robert Pattinson, Samantha Morton, Paul Giamatti]. STEPHEN HAWKING'S Grand Design. SILENT HOUSE [Thriller/Elizabeth Olsen]. - James Sherlock