Storming The Tower (Samantha Collett) takes out the Cornwall Handicap.

By: Mark Nowell

Veteran galloper Storming The Tower defied his top-weight to score the $40,000 Ellerslie Jewellers & Engravers Cornwall Handicap (2200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, etching his name among some of New Zealand's great winter gallopers to win the former honored race.

First run in 1902, the Cornwall Handicap was in the past, recognized as one of this country's best winter races of the season and with group status.

Now unfortunately, the Cornwall Handicap is just another open handicap, full of lower grade horses - with an exception of a few.

Storming The Tower went from winning last month's Group 3 Rotorua Cup, carrying (54kgs) just above the minimum - to carry top weight (60kgs) in the Cornwall Handicap. This fact alone, shows the lack of depth in our winter staying brigade.

While it's agreed that we lose our promising youngsters overseas, where are our genuine class one winter gallopers. We don't have many - Come back Deb's Mate.

Storming The Tower is racing at career best form, after not winning for three years and 34 starts until March this year, the rising eight-year-old has now won three and placed in two from his last five starts.

The Storm Creek gelding jumped from the outside barrier to stride to the front with Celebrity Miss on his outside. Turning for home Celebrity Miss looked like she headed Storming The Tower half-way down, but the gallant warrior dug deep to beat Celebrity Miss by just over a length. Last year's winner and race favourite Gesemi, looked a big chance but only battled over the final stages to finish third.

Storming The Tower is owned by Benedict Sin and trainer John Bell.

"That was a very good performance, to win like that with so much weight on his back. We'll go to the Kiwifruit Cup next in three weeks at Tauranga," Bell said.

Storming The Tower's career record is 48 starts for seven wins, 17 placings and over $220,000 in stakes.