23/11/2014  Shatin  Race 6

TOWERING STORM was slow to begin. From wide barriers, GIGGLES FOREVER and CRUISE CONTROL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. AXIOM was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. CRUISE CONTROL had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and then when closing off the race strongly raced tight between DRAGON BACHELOR and AXIOM when attempting to improve into tight running between those horses. Then passing the 150 Metres, CRUISE CONTROL was steadied and shifted to the inside of DRAGON BACHELOR after being disappointed for running between that horse and AXIOM which also had difficulty obtaining clear running over the final 200 Metres. At the 400 Metres, REAL GENERAL shifted out and brushed the hindquarters of GRAND HARBOUR which became unbalanced, got its head on the side and shifted in. At the same time, MALAYAN PEARL shifted out, resulting in REAL GENERAL being checked when crowded for room and blundering. Whilst this incident was one of some significance, as the Stewards were of the view that there was no rider error involved, no further action was taken. When REAL GENERAL was checked, TOWERING STORM shifted in abruptly away from the heels of that horse near the 350 Metres and bumped LET’S GOAL, resulting in TOWERING STORM becoming badly unbalanced. Throughout the race, GRAND HARBOUR travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of GRAND HARBOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, A Suborics (ROCK THE TREE) said whilst the tempo of the race in the early stages was quite strong, the pace slackened in the middle stages and because of this ROCK THE TREE, which was racing back in the field, was not suited as the horse then was not able to sprint with the field when the pace quickened. A veterinary inspection of ROCK THE TREE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GRAND HARBOUR, SEMPITERNAL and MALAYAN PEARL were sent for sampling.