Apprentice Ben Vassallo suffered a sprained left ankle when favourite Skateboard veered left and put on a buckjumping display shortly after the start of the last race at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
Skateboard, who started the $4.20 favourite in the TAB Number 1 Club Handicap (1400m), jumped from the outside barrier and shortly after the start veered out sharply, dislodging Vassallo to the side.
Initial reports were that Vassallo had sprained his left ankle but the apprentice will visit his doctor to further examine the damage.
Trainer Guy Walter could offer no explanation for Skateboard’s behaviour.
“The saddle has moved back marginally but nowhere near enough for him to do that,” Walter said.
“I can’t give you any explanation.”
The race was taken out by the Chris Waller-trained Thumbtacks who brought up a winning treble for Sydney’s leading trainer.
Waller had earlier claimed a race-to-race double with Republic Lad and Dystopia.
AAP TURF
