The handlers on either side of stall 11 then looked at each other in bewilderment and starter Michael Tibbatts was the first to accept responsibility.

The race itself was won by the Derek Cruz-trained Aubade in all-the-way fashion under seven-pound claimer Eden Cheung from Cutlass Perfection, who ran on well to grab second close home.

To be fair to Tibbatts, he has been responsible for a marked improvement in the standard of the starting-stalls staff.

There were also extenuating circumstances for Noble Knight being denied a fair start last night which led to $1.55 million being refunded in win bets and $1.14 in place wagers.

Tibbatts explained: 'Noble Knight is a very difficult horse at the start.

'Because of this the handler was under specific instructions not to remove the blindfold until the back gate was closed.

'The flag man behind the stalls was relatively new and he waved the flag before the back stall was closed.

'I looked down the line. I didn't see the hood was still on. Peter [Schiergen] wasn't shouting like some of them can and what he was saying was in German. As I hadn't seen the hood I let them go but it was a mistake.' Generally the apprentices had a successful night, justifying the confidence placed in them by director of racing, Philip Johnston, who has refused to bring in any more expatriate riders despite the shortage in senior jockeys due to injuries, bans, retirements and repatriations.

Champion apprentice Simon 'Hong Kong' Yim was on the mark in the opener when also making every post a winning one on Gary Ng Ting-keung's Malayan Treasure who has improved considerably since being fitted with a combination of a hood and blinkers.

For Yim it was career win number 47 and he needs just three more to achieve a lifetime ambition and graduate to the senior ranks.

Malayan Treasure's win also set the pattern for the night as the dirt surface heavily favoured those on the pace and on the far rail.

The promising James Chan landed a heavy gamble for the Geoff Lane stable on dirt specialist Let It Ride in the fifth event. Let It Ride was backed from 6.9-1 to 5.3-1 in the final 20 minutes of betting. He was also up on the speed throughout.

Eden Cheung had his claim reduced to five pounds following his win on Aubade, the 15th of his career and Peter Wong was another apprentice to make virtually all the running, this time when scoring on Ivan Allan's progressive youngster Success Partners in the third event.

Success Partners was the subject of good, late support to complete a hat-trick and can win more races.

Two masters of their craft were also on the mark. Mick Kinane put in another copybook display to bring Bounty home a comfortable winner of the second event for Lam Hung-fie.

And Richard Quinn's excellent Club Jockey stint continued when the David Hill-trained Amza Glory gave him win number nine in the last.