What bet the orchestra plays the William Tell Overture by Rossini during the concert – either at the very beginning or as an encore? There are short chances at Les Toreadors from George Bizet’s opera Carmen and Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner in the playlist as well.
If you think you’ve strayed into the arts and entertainment section, relax, we’re talking about the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra performing at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday – sharing top of the bill with the Tattersalls Jamaica Handicap, a Listed event for fillies and mares. over 2000m.
The ditties mentioned above are always trotted out when there is a horse theme around. And the same welcome, in the departure of screechy singers and DJs who foisted upon the racegoers in the desperate hope of attracting “younger” clients. Classical musos will treat punters’ ears to (hopefully) Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro – which some say is the best piece of music ever written.
The Philharmonians will certainly appear in some modern numbers; it can be Horse Without a Name by America or a song called Wild Horses, the title was created by a welter of different people – from the Rolling Stones to La Belle.
With the main race being Jamaica – named after the iconic giant chestnut horse of the past decades – there was a chance for Goodbye Jamaica – made famous by Harry Belafonte and considered by some to be the greatest pop song ever.
From the Jamaican runners, the excellent Time Flies and Do Angels Cry can be named after their musical creations; by Vaya Con Dios and Drake in the first, and the late British neo-soul crooner Lynden David Hall in the second.
But punters and music arrangers should not rule out Young Love, from Andre Nel stable with Ryan Munger in the saddle.
Young Love is also a name everywhere in the world of lyrics – from the 1950s rockabilly sound of Ric Cartey to the modern country tones of Kip Moore. The four-year-old filly in question can offer some value and strike the right note in her peak run.