13/03/2013  Happy Valley  Race 4

NAUGHTY BABY was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, NAUGHTY BABY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From the outside barrier, HOW SPEEDY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start RISING POWER was crowded for room between HIGH RETURN and NOVEL START which shifted in. Also shortly after the start, SNITZEL KID shifted out and bumped NO TIES which was being taken across behind runners. Approaching the 900 Metres, FRESH AIR became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of MASTER RIO. FRIENDS OF YAN OI, which was proving difficult to settle when following FRESH AIR, got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of that horse. Passing the 900 Metres, RISING POWER got its head up when reluctant to improve inside MASTER RIO which shifted in marginally. Near the 850 Metres, HIGH RETURN was awkwardly placed inside the heels of NOVEL START. Then again passing the 800 Metres, HIGH RETURN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NOVEL START. When being steadied in an attempt to obtain a position behind SOLAR BOY passing the 800 Metres, GLENEALY STAR became unbalanced when awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse. After this, GLENEALY STAR, which gave ground in the Straight, was unable to shift in behind SOLAR BOY and consequently raced wide and without cover throughout the race. Passing the 600 Metres, HIGH RETURN was briefly crowded for room inside SNITZEL KID which got its head on the side and shifted in. At the same point, RISING POWER lost ground when crowded for room inside MASTER RIO which also got its head on the side and shifted in marginally despite the efforts of its rider. FRIENDS OF YAN OI, which was following RISING POWER, was inconvenienced in consequence. Near the 250 Metres, FRIENDS OF YAN OI was steadied when disappointed for running between FRESH AIR and RISING POWER which shifted out. Near the 150 Metres, HOW SPEEDY raced tight between HIGH RETURN and SNITZEL KID which shifted in after being unable to improve between NOVEL START and SOLAR BOY. Passing the 150 Metres, FRESH AIR was bumped by NO TIES which shifted in. For some distance approaching and passing the 100 Metres, FRIENDS OF YAN OI was held up when unable to obtain clear running and then near the 50 Metres was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of SOLAR BOY. Because of this, FRIENDS OF YAN OI was not able to be tested over about the final 100 Metres. In the Straight, NO TIES got its head on the side, hung in and proved difficult to ride. A veterinary inspection of GLENEALY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FRESH AIR immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, FRESH AIR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MASTER RIO and NOVEL START were sent for sampling.