Bellezza Nera returns to form with Adelaide Cup success.

Former West Australian Bellezza Nera (Rock N Roll Heaven) showed a welcome return to form with a last to first wIn the $25,000 Adelaide Pacing Cup at Globe Derby on Saturday night.

Due to a number of somewhat recent disappointing efforts Bellezza Nera was friendless in the betting. Port Pirie Cup winner Springfield Affair was sent out as favourite and there was good support for Lord Zarias and Aintsobad.

In a furious early battle for the lead veteran Assassinator surrendered the lead to Lord Zarias who in turn allowed Springfield Affair to take up the running. Aintsobad was caught racing outside the leader while Delightful Tammy from her second row draw was able to take the one out and one back trail.

Danielle Hill on Bellezza Nera allowed the black gelding to settle back at the rear of the field.

Along the back straight for the final time, Gaita Pullicino on Springfield Affair tried to steal the race in running a third quarter of 28.9 seconds. And it looked as if Springfield Affair had that vital winning break. But out wide Delightful Tammy was finishing hard and Bellezza Nera despite being four wide sprouted wings to score by just under 2 metres so fast was he finishing.  Delightful Tammy was third behind Springfield Affair.

BELLEZZA NERA APR 26 REPLAY ADELAIDE CUP

Bellezza Nera is trained by David Harding who took over the gelding’s preparation in February this year when he arrived from Dylan Egerton Green’s Serpentine stables.

He won a race at Port Pirie but raced without much luck in the recent South Australian cups series and in his most recent effort he finished 7^th to Springfield Affair after a hard run outside the leader. Obviously the driving tactics where he was driven from behind paid dividends and he had his winning turn in a big race.

The race’s generous prize money was made possible by the sponsorship of Kevin and Kay Seymour and the South Australian Harness Racing Club.

Recently there has been an increase in South Australian prize money and this can only benefit the sport’s participants. And the calibre of the field in the Adelaide Cup has proved that good horses will be set for races when there is an incentive such as shown by last night’s sponsors.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink