Chadwick out for 10 days while Lloyd faces longer layoff
Championship leader Matthew Chadwick will be out of action for another 10 days after he failed to get a medical clearance yesterday and South African Jeff Lloyd will be out even longer after being diagnosed with a fractured ankle.
Chadwick was carried from the track unconscious and treated for concussion after a fall from Gallant Champion at Sha Tin on Sunday but was released from hospital with no more serious issues evident.
However, a medical certificate presented to stewards said the apprentice had sustained a minor head injury in the fall and would not be fit to ride until after next Wednesday's meeting.
Chief steward Kim Kelly added that Chadwick's blood tests, associated with the injuries suffered in the fall, had not been 100 per cent either.
'There are no alarm bells, nobody is suggesting he needs to be readmitted to hospital, but the doctors are not completely satisfied that Matthew Chadwick is ready to ride again,' Kelly said. 'He isn't permitted to take rides for this weekend or next Wednesday and his condition will be assessed again next week.'
Chadwick will attend an inquiry before racing at Happy Valley tonight, where stewards will look into the circumstances that led to his fall. Lloyd, however, has had a serious setback to his return to the saddle after expecting to be riding again this weekend.
The South African injured his left ankle when a horse collapsed and died under him after the finish of a race last Sunday week at Sha Tin.
It was thought the ankle had been only sprained, and X-rays did not show anything more serious, but Lloyd has undergone an MRI scan due to continuing pain in the joint.
The scan has discovered a fracture in his ankle, which will require being set in a cast for the next three weeks.
