This Fat Lady is ready to sing

Jack Milner

Dame Nellie Melba was one of the most revered opera singers of the Victorian era and the early part of the 20^th century but also had a part to play in the culinary world of her time, items that are still currently popular.

The Australian-born soprano took Europe by storm and one of her most devoted admirers was eminent French chef Auguste Escoffier at whose Savoy Hotel restaurant Melba would frequent. So smitten was he with her that he created a dessert in her honour made of peaches, raspberry sauce, and vanilla ice cream, which became universally known as a Peach Melba.

Later, when she was trying to lose weight but enjoyed baked bread, Escoffier designed a wafer-thin lower calorie crisp bread for her which became known throughout the world as Melba toast.

Now her equine equivalent will be aiming to make her name on the racing stage and will line up for her second career run in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.

Peter Muscutt-trained Nellie Melba is related to speedy Fostinovo as well as promising Barbaresco and proven Graded-placed Outofthedarkness, so it came as no surprise to see betting support for the daughter of Oratorio on debut over 1000m at this course, despite being drawn No 8 of the 10 runners.

Only inexperience cost her the race as she got slightly lost when turning for home but she did get going late to finish 0.90 lengths behind Skytrix.

It will be a bit of Deja Vu as Richard Fourie takes the ride and she is drawn No 8 again.

There is an expression that comes from the world of opera that it is not over until the fat lady sings.

Well, with the experience under her belt, this ‘Fat Lady’ looks ready to sing.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 8 Nellie Melba, 7 Emerald Green, 9 An Air Of Pride, 11 Flying Reign Storm

Race 2: 12 Mascherina, 4 The Queen Bee, 3 One Smart Cookie, 8 Elegant Act

Race 3: 2 Shoot The Rapids, 11 Only A Poet, 7 Triton, 9 Swift Nicks

Race 4: 5 Khanyisa Indlela, 1 Billy Of Tea, 4 Master Of The Turf, 7 Madison Blues

Race 5: 2 Bay Breeze, 1 Doctor's Orders, 14 Fashionigma, 11 Leopard Lady

Race 6: 8 Sign Of Fate, 6 Imperious Destiny, 3 Sleek As Silk, 1 Status Quo

Race 7: 7 All The Time, 3 Winter Waves, 1 High Velocity, 11 Giambattista

Race 8: 8 Super Fast, 7 Phaka Imali, 5 Question Of Faith, 1 Rugger Bugger

Race 9: 2 Cinnamon Blush, 4 Time Is Ticking, 12 Sky Cafe, 6 Poppy Of Bayeux

BEST BET

Race 1 No 8 Nellie Melba

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 8 Sign Of Fate

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 2x11

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 12

Leg 2: 2, 11

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 14

Leg 5: 1, 3, 6, 8

Leg 6: 1, 3, 7, 11

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 5

Leg 3: 1, 2, 14

Leg 4: 3, 6, 8

Leg 5: 1, 3, 7

Leg 6: 7, 8

Leg 7: 2, 4, 12

PICK 6

R1728

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 14

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 8

Leg 4: 1, 3, 7, 11

Leg 5: 5, 7, 8

Leg 6: 2, 4, 6, 12

JACKPOT 1

R144

Leg 1: 1, 2, 14

Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1, 3, 7, 11

Leg 4: 5, 7, 8

JACKPOT 2

R192

Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 8

Leg 2: 1, 3, 7, 11

Leg 3: 5, 7, 8

Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 12