Darren Beadman will not ride at the Hong Kong Gold Cup meeting on Sunday and the date of his return is uncertain after the leading jockey checked himself back into hospital.
Beadman was knocked unconscious for some time and fractured a cheekbone last Friday when his barrier trial mount snapped a joint and hurled him to the ground. Beadman was automatically stood down for five days and hoped to be back for Sunday but he said yesterday he had continued to feel problems with his balance.
'I checked myself back in on Sunday when I kept feeling dizzy and I've had an MRI today and I'm waiting for the doctor to go over the results with me,' Beadman said. 'I was unconscious for maybe an hour after the fall and the doctor told me it isn't unusual for your balance to be a bit off for a while after being out for that long. Anyway, I don't want to be rushing back if I'm not ready so I'll wait for their green light.'
John Moore imported Damien Oliver for Beadman's stable duties last Sunday and Oliver, who was already booked for Irian in the Gold Cup, will fulfil the same role this weekend.
In other news, trainer David Ferraris was still shaking his head over Sweet Orange's luckless defeat in the Classic Cup, but had to be content with the knowledge he has the nominal Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby favourite in his barn.
Sweet Orange was strung up at the top of the straight and unable to set out after the leaders until winner Zaidan had kicked clear.