DARK HARMONY'S CONSISTENCY IS REWARDED

By Graham Potter | Saturday, September 16, 2023

After a series of placings (two third and two seconds), the Chris Munce trained Dark Harmony found his winning touch under Mark Du Plessis when he proved to strong for his opposition in a Colts, Geldings and Entires BM70 Handicap over 1400m at Eagle Farm on September 16.

After being awkwardly away, Du Plessis showed his intent early by pushing the $4.20 second favourite out to go up in search of the lead which he eventually found, even though it took him the better part of 400m to get there.

Dark Harmony then led in comfortable fashion by a 1.25 length margin throughout the sweep to the home turn, and he was still held full control of the race on straightening.

The challenges were always going to come though, most notably from the $2.40 favourite Naval, Trader, who had tracked up into third place on the bend and who Ben Thompson asked to extend once the field set sail for home.

Dark Harmony is a tough, determined and resilient individual though, and by maintaining a strong gallop in the first half of the straight he ensured that Naval Trader would have to work to reel him in.

Work he did, moving up on the outside of Dark Harmony, and when Cusack ($11) also accelerated into contention along the inside, Dark Harmony suddenly found himself with rivals snapping at him from either side, trying to bring him undone.

Did I mention tough, determined and resilient … well, that’s how Dark Harmony’s rivals found him to be … to their cost because … as, try as they might, neither could get passed Dark Harmony who went to the line holding Naval Trader back in second place by 0.50 lengths.

This was only Dark Harmony’s second win from eighteen starts … but, when you add the twelve minor places he has secured to the mix, you have a story of a horse that almost always gives his all.

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