Jockey Laura Lafferty was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital after a fall during a 1400m maiden race at Ballarat. Leading on the $201 outsider The Praised One, Lafferty was dislodged around the 800m mark when her mount shied.

Racing Victoria steward Alex Streckbain confirmed Lafferty is suspected to have internal injuries and will undergo further assessment. Though conscious, there are concerns she may have been trodden on during the incident.

The fall caused an indefinite delay in the meeting, with stewards updating riders and offering them a chance to inspect the track. Jockey Harry Coffey, who won the race on Double Market, expressed concern: “I hope she’s OK,” noting the challenging windy conditions.

Lafferty has previously faced injuries, including concussions and falls at Swan Hill (2021) and The Valley (2022).

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