Weight assignment, pace scenario could hamper Harmony Victory
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Harmony Victory concluded his 2018-19 Hong Kong campaign with a stirring win in a Class 1 handicap at Sha Tin and begins the 2019-20 season taking a step down to a Class 2 in the featured eighth race on a rare Saturday card at Sha Tin.
But the nature of the Hong Kong handicap system means Harmony Victory actually has a tall task in front of him in the Saturday feature.
Stepping up from Class 2 handicaps and starts in a series of rich stakes restricted to 4-year-olds, Harmony Victory, a Brazilian import, carried a feathery 113 pounds to a nose victory over a horse named Time To Celebrate in his most recent start this past July. The top two, Harmony Victory in particular finishing with bounding energy, pulled well clear of the pack, but Harmony Victory got 10 pounds from the runner up and as much as 17 from other rivals.
Saturday, the weights turn against him as Harmony Victory, jockey Grant Van Niekirk in the irons for the second straight start, is burdened with top weight of 133 pounds, giving at least 10 pounds and as much as 18 to eight opponents.
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Harmony Victory flattened out in a couple tries over 2,000 meters last season but turned in consistent performances as a one-run closer in starts over the 1,600 meters he races Saturday. He’s amply talented to reach the winner’s circle again but the weights and a possible lack of pace to set up his kick give pause at a likely short price.
While Harmony Victory (100) is up seven points in the ratings off his most recent performance, Classic Beauty is on a five-point ratings rise to 88 making his first start of the Hong Kong season. Classic Beauty, however, found his best form last season when stretched out to 2,000 meter races and trainer John Moore likely is using this comeback run as a stepping-stone start.
Star Performance posted a huge upset winning his Hong Kong debut over 1,400 meters on July 7 in his only start since being imported from New Zealand. Who knows where Star Performance’s ceiling might be and he is the lightweight in Saturday’s start at 115 pounds, with Joao Moreira in the irons.