16/10/2011  Shatin  Race 5

As the tongue tie, which was part of the approved gear to be worn by TOWERING STORM, was unable to be applied to that horse in the saddling stalls, the Stewards approved that TOWERING STORM race without that gear. After being loaded, INTELLECTUALSTRIDE momentarily got it head down under the front gates. INTELLECTUALSTRIDE was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Also after being loaded, TUXEDO became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, INTELLECTUALSTRIDE and TUXEDO will both be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After being placed in the barriers, AFFLUENCE OF RAIN reared on a number of occasions and momentarily got its right front leg over the adjoining stall, resulting in its rider, Apprentice C Y Ho, being dislodged. AFFLUENCE OF RAIN was removed from the barriers, examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, AFFLUENCE OF RAIN will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. TOWERING STORM was slow to begin. INTELLECTUALSTRIDE shifted out at the start and bumped FLASHING GUY. From wide barriers, OUR DYNASTY and MAKE A FORTUNE were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. BONDI LAD was checked shortly after the start when crowded for room between ALWAYS SOMETHING and DREAM BUILDER (Apprentice K C Ng) which shifted in. This incident, together with an incident involving TEAM WORK ridden by Apprentice Ng in Race 4 and which also shifted ground at the start, were brought to the attention of Apprentice Ng and he was advised that he must make every effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. After this, BONDI LAD was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed. At the 800 Metres, TUXEDO was steadied away from the heels of PURE FORCE. AFFLUENCE OF RAIN, which was following, was steadied in consequence. For some distance after this, AFFLUENCE OF RAIN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TUXEDO. In the early part of the Straight, ALWAYS SOMETHING had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 350 Metres, MAKE A FORTUNE was steadied when disappointed for running between BONDI LAD and ALWAYS SOMETHING which shifted in to obtain clear running. After this, MAKE A FORTUNE was shifted to the inside of BONDI LAD. Then after the 150 Metres, MAKE A FORTUNE was checked when unable to obtain clear running between BONDI LAD and DREAM BUILDER. Because of this, MAKE A FORTUNE was not able to be properly tested in the Straight. AFFLUENCE OF RAIN was not able to obtain clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. In the Straight, TOWERING STORM raced greenly and shifted ground on a number of occasions. For the majority of the race, ELITE FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on ELITE FORTUNE at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. TUXEDO and ALWAYS SOMETHING were sent for sampling.