Champion Australian trainer David Hayes is concerned that the rain-affected Happy Valley track could hinder his speed machines Nervous Witness and Harmony N Blessed in Wednesday night’s Group Two Korea Racing Authority Trophy (1,000m).
The track was rated good to yielding on Tuesday and could be further downgraded with more heavy rain forecast on Wednesday. Nervous Witness ran fifth on yielding-to-soft ground at Sha Tin in 2022 and a distant last on a wet all-weather surface at the same course last year.
Harmony N Blessed has had only one start on a good to yielding track, running third at Happy Valley last year.
“I prefer them both on top of the ground,” Hayes said. “Slow tracks slow them down a bit. I’d be more confident if it’s not raining.”
Hayes has opted to remove the hood from Nervous Witness in a bid to spark him back into top form on Wednesday night.
“If he gets left alone, he can dominate a race and look outstanding,” Hayes said. “The problem is, if he gets taken on he’s a bit of a one-trick pony – he over-races and doesn’t finish.
“He didn’t show his normal blistering speed from the gate last start so I just thought we’d tinker. He did win a lot of his earlier races without the hood, so hopefully that helps.
Harmony N Blessed also showcased his electrifying speed when leading all the way to beat Beauty Infinity by two and a quarter lengths in the Class Three Kowloon City Handicap (1,200m) at the city circuit last start.
However, Hayes believes the four-time 1,000m Happy Valley victor will sit off the lead on Wednesday night and still prove effective.
“Look, he doesn’t have to lead and I’d say coming back to 1,000m from 1,200m from [barrier three], I’d say he’ll follow the pace, where Nervous Witness is a one-dimensional speed horse,” Hayes said.
Andrea Atzeni will ride Harmony N Blessed while Lyle Hewitson will pilot Nervous Witness, who jumps from the outside gate in a field of nine which also features Duke Wai, Whizz Kid, Seasons Wit, Majestic Knight, Carroll Street, Nordic Dragon and Humble Star.
