DARLEY Australia's No.1 jockey Kerrin McEvoy fractured a vertebrae in a spectacular race fall at Gosford yesterday, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.It says: McEvoy, who rides for Sheikh Mohammed's Australian operation, came down in the Takeover Target Stakes when riding exciting galloper Skytrain. McEvoy and apprentice Alexandra Stokes, who was riding Newton's Rings, hit the turf shortly after entering the straight in the $100,00 feature race, which was won by racing's new cult hero, Border Re

DARLEY Australia's No.1 jockey Kerrin McEvoy fractured a vertebrae in a spectacular race fall at Gosford yesterday, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

It says: McEvoy, who rides for Sheikh Mohammed's Australian operation, came down in the Takeover Target Stakes when riding exciting galloper Skytrain. McEvoy and apprentice Alexandra Stokes, who was riding Newton's Rings, hit the turf shortly after entering the straight in the $100,00 feature race, which was won by racing's new cult hero, Border Rebel.

McEvoy and Stokes were attended by paramedics on the track before being taken to Gosford hospital. Extensive testing revealed that McEvoy, who has ridden around the world for Sheikh Mohammed's global conglomerate, Godolphin, had suffered a fractured vertebrae, while Stokes was believed to have been given the all-clear to leave hospital last night.

''She's the luckiest girl alive,'' said Stokes's master, trainer Steve Hodge, who had rushed from Newcastle.

McEvoy is expected to be out for an indefinite period. The injury comes as a major blow for Darley, which is chasing its first Sydney premiership under head trainer Peter Snowden.

McEvoy appeared to be seeking a run inside Border Rebel near the 150-metre mark when his mount Skytrain crashed to the turf. Stokes, who was to the inside of Skytrain on her giant charge, slide off the side of the gelding.

Newton's Rings's trainer Jeff Englebrecht reported ''my horse is all right'', while Brad Widdup, foreman for Snowden, said: ''I think he [Skytrain] is OK.''

Trainer Sue Grills's delight at Border Rebel's win was tempered by the fall.