Apprentice Jackson Murphy has been taken to hospital after falling shortly after the start in the fifth race at the Gold Coast.

Murphy was riding favourite Dream Master which jumped in front but appeared to duck in tossing Murphy to the turf.

Ambulance men attended to Murphy, who was conscious, on the track before he was taken to hospital for observation.

Steward Neil Boyle said Murphy was in some discomfort and he was taken to hospital as a precaution.

“We won’t know more until after tests are conducted at the hospital,” he said.

Boyle said stewards would review the start but it did not appear to be a case where interference caused the fall.

Murphy returned recently after spending four months on the sidelines after breaking a wrist in a fall at Doomben in December.

Credit: AAP