Monday, October 31, 2016

ODDS ON FAVOURITE! NO HANDICAP! BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!



One of St. Bernard Hotels' St. Bernards!


“It’s a beautiful day for the race...

 Stooge Hand is the favourite today; 
Assault is in there, 
Dog Biscuit is 3 to 1; 
Safety Pin has been scratched – Ya! Ya! 
And at 20 to 1...Beetlebomb! 

A jockey is having trouble with his jersey...they’re off! 

Turtle by a neck; 
Chewing Gum sticking to the rail; 
Pants on the outside; Underwear in the inside; 
Toilet paper coming up the rear; 
Cabbage is second by a head; 
Cabbage by a head; 
 
Dog Biscuit is now leading the pack; 
Banana is coming through the bunch; 
Apartment House is second with plenty of room;
And Girdle in the stretch, 
With Mother-in-Law nagging in the rear...
And Beetlebomb! 

Into the back stretch Assault is passing Battery – Assault and Battery...
And at last place by 10 lengths I believe it is...yes, it is – Beetlebomb!   

And now they come down to the wire...and there goes the winner....Beetlebomb!

Before you think I’ve finally lost the plot, there is no need to be concerned - I lost the plot years ago. 

Those of you who are of my generation, give and take a few years, would’ve grown up listening to the satirical American musician, bandleader Spike Jones & the City Slickers on your mantle radios. His popular race call featuring none other than the infamous ‘Beetlebomb” was accompanied by Rossini’s “William Tell Overture”, which was played on and with kitchen utensils and implements.  The recording was released in the late 1940s. It kept its appeal through the Fifties. (Look it up on YouTube).

When I was a kid every year in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup Spike Jones’ “Beetlebomb” was played many times over on the radio. It was all in the name of a bit of harmless, innocent fun. 

Also when my brother and I were kids the Marx Brothers’ movies were favourites, too.  We never tired of the hilarious brilliance of the Marx Brothers pictures at the Saturday afternoon matinees, even though their movies were made a few years before both of us were born. 

Their 1937 film “A Day at the Races” never failed to raise laughter.  It still has the power.  The Marx Brothers will never be "unfunny"The Three Stooges still make me laugh, too.

Maureen O’Sullivan, the mother of Mia Farrow, actress and ex-wife of the late, great Frank Sinatra, starred alongside Groucho, Harpo and Chico Marx in the very funny movie. 

O’Sullivan was also “Jane” to Johnny Weissmuller’s “Tarzan” in the 30s and40s “King of the Jungle” movies.  Underhand trickery and dirty deals are resorted to as the big day looms in “A Day at the Races”.  Much money and lots of hope was placed on the horse “Hi-Hat” to win the main race.  A few who got on their high horse fell off when the winner of the race was announced.  I won’t give away the ending. There’s nothing worse than spoiling the suspense and fun for you if you’ve not seen the movie! 

The time has come for me to don my gladrags; dust off my hat or wipe the cobwebs from my fascinator.  Which one will I wear – hat or fascinator? Hang on!  I might leave the cobwebs on the fascinator.  Fascinatingly, the cobwebs look like net.  I’m sure I can get away with it - no one will notice.  The natural look is in fashion during this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.  I keep up with the trends, you know; or I gallop past them.   If I race far enough ahead of what’s in vogue today I’ll meet up with it on the way round and I’m fashionable again, if you get my drift!

I’ll stop now while I’m a nose in front. It’s time to study horse forms. 

It's Tuesday, 1st November - meaning it's the first Tuesday in November - it also means it's Melbourne Cup Day!  The legendary Melbourne Cup is always held on the first Tuesday in November.

I’m still studying the forms even though I placed my bets on the Melbourne Cup yesterday. I'm surrounded by newspaper information on the races, horses, trainers, owners and jockeys.

I always gallop off to the TAB on the Monday, the eve (in the morning of the eve) of The Cup because I don’t want to get caught up in the madding crowd today.  I was the first one at the TAB at the historic St. Bernard's Hotel, which is around the corner and along the road a bit from where I live.  I go to St. Bernard's Hotel once a year...on the Monday before Melbourne Cup to place my bets.  

These days it's the only horse race I have a bet on.  Hey!  It's un-Aussie not to get into the spirit of The Cup.  When my brother, Graham was alive he knew everything about horses (not only those running in the Melbourne Cup)...all their history and that of their hoops, owners, trainers, sires and dams.  He often would ring me with a tip or two, but since Graham's passing 18 years ago, I only ever have a flutter on the Melbourne Cup. 

Today I’ll be watching all the races including The Cup leisurely here at home without interruption.  I’m not one for attending Melbourne Cup luncheons and the like.

They’re usually fully of noisy folk who wouldn’t know one end of a horse to the other; and you never get to see or hear the race clearly.  I like to watch today’s events...all of them in peace. Throughout my working life I catered for enough Melbourne Cup Day lunches to last me two life times. (And I never enjoyed doing same).

I’ve already put together a tasty antipasto platter upon which I intend to leisurely graze throughout the day – at my own speed.  Depending on my mood, I might just stick to coffee and water, or perhaps I might have a couple of Crownies; maybe a couple of Scotches...or perhaps go all out and have some champagne.  I was given a bottle of French Champagne a couple of weeks ago and it’s chilling in my fridge.  Who knows? Not me...as I said, it depends on my mood as the day progresses.

I began watching the Melbourne Cup Carnival on Saturday just gone...that was the commencement of the Carnival...and I’ll watch every race day until the culmination on this coming Saturday.  I love this time of the year.  The thoroughbreds are magnificent creatures.  And I love seeing the fashions on the field, too.

On your mark! Get set ! Go!  See you at the finish line! Drinks are on the house!  A safety harness is mandatory. I don’t want you falling off the roof!    By George!  It’s Beetlebomb by a head!   He’s the bomb with such aplomb!

Tomato Patties:  Combine 8 large, chopped ripe tomatoes, 1 large finely chopped onion, 10 chopped mint leaves and1tsp sugar; season. Gradually add self-raising flour until mixture is thick, but still moist. Pour some olive oil into pan. When hot drop in spoonfuls of mix; fry on both sides until golden; drain; serve with Tzatziki Sauce: Combine 3tbs olive oil, 1tbs vinegar, 2 finely minced garlic cloves, salt and pepper. Whisk 1c Greek yoghurt, 1c sour cream; add olive oil mixture; add 2 peeled, seeded, diced cucumbers and 1tsp chopped dill. Chill Tzatziki 2 or so hours.

Greek Tiropita: Crumble 200g feta; add 2 large beaten eggs, 100g grated Parmesan, 100g grated Gouda, 100g ricotta, 2tbs chopped mint and 3/4c cream; season; chill 20-30mins. Brush sides and base of 20x30cm baking tray with melted butter. Place 1 filo sheet on base; brush with olive oil/ butter. Repeat process, adding 4-5 more filo sheets; brush with oil/butter as you go. Pour in cheese mixture. Fold excess filo over mixture; top with 4-5 more filo sheets; oil/butter each sheet before adding another; roll in edges. Brush top with oil/butter; sprinkle sparingly with water; sprinkle over sesame seeds. Score top; bake in preheated 180C oven, 45-50mins. Cool; then cut into squares to serve.
  
Greek Meatballs: Combine 1kg lamb mince, 1 large red onion, grated, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1tsp oregano, 2tsp chopped mint, 1/2tsp cumin, 1/2tsp coriander, 1/2c breadcrumbs, 1tbs olive oil, 1 egg, 1tbs finely grated pecorina or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; season. Mix together with your hands; chill 30mins.  Roll mixture into walnut-size balls; dredge lightly in flour; fry in oil, 7-8mins; or bake in 200C oven, 20mins, turn halfway through. Serve with Tzatziki Sauce. 
  
Mini Caprese Bites: Using 500g cherry tomatoes and 250g mozzarella (I’m using Feta) – thread a cube of the cheese, then thread a cherry tomato half, another piece of cheese, another tomato half and a basil leaf onto toothpicks;  then place in shallow serving dish.  Lastly whisk together 1/4c x-virgin olive oil, 2tbs balsamic vinegar, 1/4tsp salt, 1/4tsp freshly ground black pepper and fresh basil leaves; drizzle mixture over the Caprese Bites.
 
Spike Jones...."Beetlebomb"!
PS:   I BACKED THE FIRST AND SECOND HORSES IN THE CUP!!!  WHOOHOOO!   ALMANDIN - FIRST.....HEARTBREAK CITY....SECOND!!!!    YEEE-HAAAA!!!

31 comments:

  1. Good morning Lee. Bet it's warmer up your end of the country than it is down here in Melbourne. I don't envy all the ladies making their way out to Flemington in their posh skimpy frocks and big hats - there's a wind blowing and it's a bit on the chilly side :)
    Remembering I haveome lamb mince in the freezer I'm going to give the meatballs a try later this week. With a bit of greek salad and a glass of red that shoukd donus for dinner on the one warm day we have coming up. Better still I won't have to put the oven on lol

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    1. Hi Cathy. It's a lovely day up here...not hot at all...a pleasant temperature. We did have a shower pass over an hour or so ago, but it didn't drop much or hang around for long - not that it concerns me one way or the other because I'm not going out anywhere! I'm busy watching the races and fashions on the field! :)

      Enjoy the meatballs when you make them. I'll be making some in a few weeks...to take along with me to my landlords' annual Christmas get-together.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  2. I don't bother having a flutter on the cup anymore, I don't even watch the race on TV, I'll hear the winner on the news and that's good enough for me. I don't even know who's running. The tomato patties sound nice and I like the look of the Mini Caprese Bites too. I may make them as my contribution to a family Christmas lunch.

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    1. Hi River...I could not not have a bet on The Cup. And I could not imagine me never watching the race...or all the other races on this wonderful day! I watch every race during every race meeting during the Cup Carnival....it's just my "thing"!

      Please see my footnote above....I backed the first and second place-getters in the race! So I'm over the moon! I'm a very happy chappy! :)

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    2. Well congratulations!

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  3. Have fun - and happy grazing.

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    1. Hi EC....I'm having a ball. I won on race...I backed the horse that came first...and the horse that came second! All is good! :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  4. I was born in Liverpool; the home of the Grand National and very much the same for us as the Melbourne Cup for you. My Uncle's initials were ESB so naturally that horse was backed by everone in our family in the 1956 Grand National when it won at odds of 100/7.

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    1. Hi Graham...Yep! The Melbourne Cup is an Aussie institution. It's a wonderful day...I love it, anyway and have done so since I was a kid. It just wouldn't feel right not to be part of it.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  5. Today I hosted a Melbourne cup Luncheon at my home. 9:30 am start and Mahjong till 11:15, morning tea while we watch the fashions and organise our sweeps, lunch then dessert while we settle in the watch the race and all that goes with it. All gone home by 3:30 and I collapsed on my recliner having done a cleanup. Lovely day. We all wore our hats - mainly fascinators and flowers on headbands - often with three quarter pants. Not too dressed up at least matching. An Aussie institution !

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    1. Hey there Helsie...It sounds like you had a lovely day...lots of fun. These days/years as I wrote above I enjoy spending the day my way, watching all the races from the first to the last. I was up bright and early and watched, as has become my habit, all the lead up to the start of the race day...from 6 am forth. Even though I choose to spend the day alone...it's still a party day! :)

      I pick out three in every race - for the first three places...but only bet on The Cup...and I won on first and second, which was great. I had a good day all round. In every race but one the horses I picked were place-getters.

      I'm off out shortly to collect my winnings! Thanks for coming by. :)

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  6. Seems you had a good day with the Melbourne Cup...as I read comment. Well done!
    I nearly missed the RACE, just turned the TV on in time..

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    1. Hi Margaret...Yes...I had a great day. I always enjoy Cup Day.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  7. Lee, sounds like a fun day and the perfect place to be. I've never bet on horse races but I do love horses. Hope it's a grand day for you.

    Thoughts in Progress
    and MC Book Tours

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    1. I had a great day, Mason Canyon...It's a special day on the Aussie calendar...one not to be missed, in my opinion....not by me, anyway! :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  8. The foodie pictures make me weak in the knees!
    Enjoy!

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    1. I might have to send you over some knee supports, Sandra!

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  9. Well done. Hope you enjoy your winnings. It's all Heartbreak City for me. I supported the idea that our small sweep should be Winner Takes All. Forgot that for a while during the race, such an exciting finish!

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    1. It was an amazing finish, Pauline...and I love how the Brazilian jockey,Joao Moreira patted Kerrin McEvoy on the back when they'd crossed the finish line...that was true sportsmanship. They both did so well.

      After watching the Irish fellows being interviewed last Saturday...the owners of Heartbreak City...I just had to back it. What a great bunch of blokes they are. So funny. That video of them after the race was over is a classic. I've seen it over and over and it hasn't yet failed to make me smile...a wide smile. Absolutely wonderful!

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  10. A German / Irish Combo!! Well maybe I should have thought of ancestry
    and I would have got the same - my mother's side of the family.
    Did you see the incredible display of Irish EXCITEMENT from the 4 Irish owners (??) after the race. God only knows what they would have done if Heartbreak City had won............. Flemington would be no more. Ha ha.
    Yes great sportsmanship as they passed the winning post by Joao.
    Cheers
    Colin

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    1. I certainly did see the Irish owners celebrating just after the race, Colin...and I've watched it a few times again this morning...and it just makes me feel so happy.

      See my response to Pauline above - after seeing them interviewed last Saturday...I just had to back their horse, Heartbreak City...what great, happy bunch of fellows they are! :)

      I backed the winner, too...mainly because of its saddle cloth 17 and barrier 17. The address where I lived throughout my childhood and teenage years was 17...as was a house my ex and I owned and lived in at Sunshine Beach back in the early 80s.

      I'm resting up today....getting ready for tomorrow's Oaks Day...and then Saturday's finale! :) I love this time of the year, as you know!

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  11. Reading this post made me wish I could be sitting you drinking champagne and nibbling on those goodies! I watch the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes every year - that's about the only races widely televised in the states. :)

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    1. Hi there Lynn....I didn't open the champagne after all, but I did have one beer and one Scotch (not one bottle of Scotch)! But if you'd been here I most certainly would've opened the champers and shared it with you! :)

      We have quite a few important horse racing events here...but the Melbourne Cup Carnival is the most popular overall. The Cup is an Aussie institution!

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  12. "And it's Lee George on Kitchen Connection! She's bouncing up and down on the sofa! The finishing line is in view. There's scotch and tasty antipasto flying everywhere! Yes! Yes! Go girl! She's got her whip out! Come on Kitchen Connection! The crowd are going wild! And WHOAH! Yes. Yes. The winner of The Melbourne Cup - it's much fancied Lee George on her filly Kitchen Connection owned by The Google Corporation... G'Day Cobber!"

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    1. Thanks, mate! Fair dinkum! That was a bloody bewdy!!

      With a smile on my face, I collected my winnings yesterday on the horse that won and the one that came second.

      Thanks for coming by, Yorkie...that was fun! :)

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  13. THE SHADOW was my favorite radio show and Author Godfrey. We also listened to boxing on the radio and I became a fan wishing I could become a boxer. I did love the Marx brothers,Grocho, Harpo and Chico and Grocho on TV show YOU BET YOUR LIFE. I had completely forgotten that Mia Farrow had been married to Frank Sinatra. How long did that last? Guess I will google it. That horse race routine was hysterical. Thanks as always Lee.

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    1. Hi Annie...Mia Farrow & Frank Sinatra married in 1966 and divorced in 1968.

      The radio is what I grew up with when I was child. The radio played an important part in our lives. There were so many great programmes back then...great times.

      Thanks for coming by, Annie. :)

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  14. Never been to a horse race in person but this post makes me wish I had. There is a lot of frivolity in horse racing, isn't there. One of my favorite bits on Candid Camera is where they wired this horse to "talk" and give tips to racegoers. When he gave a tip on a winning horse to one spectator, the guy pulled out a pad and asked the horse, "How do you spell that?"

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    1. I've been to quite a few race meetings, Dave...but not in a long time. The last one I attended was back in the Nineties....but it is a great day/afternoon out. And you don't have to be a punter. I loved walking around the stables/stalls to see the horses, but I don't know if that's still allowed these days...it probably isn't.

      I love your "talking horse" story...that's a good one! :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  15. Horse racing is a mugs game!
    Spike Jones however & the Marx Bros are excellent.

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    1. I guess it could be said that football is a mug's game, too. Each to their own, Mr. Ad-Man.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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