ITALIAN FLAVOUR AT BELMONT

What a day ROMA CUP DAY has become at Belmont Park every year lately. This year was no exception with another bumper crowd in attendance. This, even with the EAGLES playing across town in what was billed as one of the games of the round. The usual entertainment was on show including the lovely Miss Italy Quest entrants, the Italian musicians and singers along with the sensational food including pizza, pasta, pork rolls and Sicilian sweets.

Apart from all these distractions, my interest was more in my two runners for the afternoon, FAIREST AND BEST in race one and ROYALE HARVEST in race six. FAIREST AND BEST was the best of good things beaten after settling at the rear of the field and being held up a number of times in the straight. He is a horse to follow.

ROYALE HARVEST didn't let me down when it came to her turn to perform with a brave effort coming from just off the pace to defeat a good field of in form gallopers. Carrying the red white and green colours of part owner Mr PETER WALSH (the same colours as the Italian flag) ROYALE HARVEST showed just what a good mare she has developed into, winning her sixth city race for this season. She sure has developed into a stable favourite, not just because of her winning ways. She is a real character and has some quirky habits which set her apart from the average horse.

ROYALE HARVEST will probably have a short let up now before being set for the HANNANS HANDICAP at Kalgoorlie in early September. Its a shame the Belmont Sprint is two weeks away because if it were to be run next week end she would be running and be giving it a real shake.