Riccarton Park – Riccarton Turf 4 May 2024 – R9 – Roopesh Jaun

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent, Class B Rider, Roopesh Jaun admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of HEREIGOAGAIN “he allowed his mount to shift in dictating FAH LUN inwards onto CAN’T KACH ME who was crowded and checked near the 1800.  

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his  admission of the breach.

Mr Jaun was assisted at the hearing by NZTR Apprentice Mentor, Jason Laking.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mr Davidson pointed out Mr Jaun, riding HEREIGOAGAIN, racing 4 wide approaching the 1800m with FAH LUN,  ridden by Krishna Mudhoo and CAN’T KACH ME, ridden by Niranjan Parmar, racing to the inside of Mr Jaun. Mr Davidson showed Mr Jaun shifting in when only 1/2 to 3/4 of a length ahead of FAH LUN and crowding that horse, which resulted in CAN’T KACH ME also being crowded and having to check, when that horse ran out of racing room.

Mr Laking, on behalf of the Respondent, stated that Mr Jaun got the corner wrong at the 1800m and had made an error of judgement.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham stated that Mr Jaun’s record in regard to this Rule, showed 1 previous breach, being at Winton on 8 October 2023, where he received a 4 day suspension.  He said that Mr Jaun was having his 91st career ride in today’s race.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide, of a 6 National Day suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions apart from requesting that any suspension begin as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee agreed with the Stewards that the Respondent’s carelessness was in the low to mid range and accordingly, adopted a 6-day suspension as the starting point.

There were no aggravating factors identified, therefore no uplift in penalty was warranted. Mr Jaun’s record was deemed a neutral factor.

There were however, mitigating factors to consider, being Mr Jaun’s relative inexperience, this being his 91st race day ride and his frank admission of the breach. A combined discount was afforded Mr Jaun, which was set at 1 day.

The Adjudicative Committee therefore determined that a 5 National Day suspension was an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

Accordingly, the Respondent’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 National Days, commencing after racing today, 4 May 2024, up to and including 11 May 2024.