Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 27 June 2024 – R7 – Yogesh Atchamah

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 7, Cup Week Hospitality on Sale Rating 65, Class B Jockey, Yogesh Atchamah, admitted a breach in that, as the Rider of THATS CHARMING in the race, he rode carelessly in permitting his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of JOEY’S GIFT (Kylie Williams) near the 50 metres.

The Respondent was assisted at the hearing by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking.

Rule 638 provides as follows:

(1)    A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be:

        (d)   careless.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, had Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, demonstrate the incident on video replays. He pointed out the Respondent’s mount, THATS CHARMING, and the runner affected, JOEY’S GIFT, ridden by Kylie Williams. THATS CHARMING was finishing on widest on the track and JOEY’S GIFT was to its inside. He also pointed out two other runners – MISS SAILOR (Terry Moseley) and VOICE OVER (Donovan Cooper), racing to the inside of JOEY’S GIFT.

VOICE OVER came out, looking for clear running, a little bit further than it needed to, and dictated MISS SAILOR onto JOEY’S GIFT, Mr Oatham said. Mr Atchamah’s mount, to the outside, did shift in quite some distance as he was going past Ms Williams, who had to check away from her mount’s heels. Ms Williams did have some pressure from her inside, which was a contributing factor, Mr Oatham said, but Stewards saw the main reason for her having to check was Mr Atchamah’s shift inwards.

Mr Oatham said that Mr Atchamah’s mount was inclined to lay in while he was using the whip. He struck his mount several times and was about to give it another one, when he stopped and straightened, but it was a little too late, as he had already got into Ms Williams’ line. The shift from the inside did not help, Mr Oatham said.

Mr Atchamah’s mount had been finishing quite fast, was going on to win the race, and had gone past Ms Williams quite comfortably, Mr Oatham said. At that stage, Ms Williams’ mount was still a chance of finishing in the first 4 or 5 placings, but lost her chance being checked (it finished 8th of the 9 runners, 3.7 lengths from the winner), he said.

Mr Laking said that Mr Atchamah’s mount had been finishing well. There was some pressure from the inside. When it made the lead, it had “ducked in real quick” and, to his credit, he had gone to give it another strike behind the saddle, but stopped and went back to the rein, but a stride too late. The pressure from the inside had started it, Mr Laking submitted.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said that Mr Atchamah has two previous careless riding breaches on his record:

9 November 2023 at Ashburton – suspended 7 days (above mid-range); and

2 June 2024 at Otago – suspended 4 days (low-range)

Stewards assessed the breach as being very low-level, with a Penalty Guide starting point of 5 days. The Adjudicative Committee should take into account the pressure on Ms Williams’ mount from the inside and that Mr Atchamah had grabbed a hold of his mount, but just too late, hence the charge.

The Respondent sought a deferment of suspension until after the meeting of Ashburton RC on 4 July 2024. Mr Davidson pointed out that, for a suspension to be meaningful, it would have to be for a minimum of 6 national riding days to incorporate at least 1 South Island day.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that the breach is low-level. Mr Atchamah’s mount was finishing fast while laying in. He had been riding it with the whip, but he let it go one stride too far before going back to the rein and straightening.

The Respondent’s record is a very good one. He is a busy Apprentice Jockey. He has had 272 rides this season.

The RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2023) suggests a starting point for a low-level careless riding breach of a 5-days suspension. There are no aggravating factors. By way of mitigating factors, the Adjudicative Committee has had regard to the Respondent’s admission of the breach, his very good riding record and the contribution from Mr Cooper’s mount. A penalty of a 4-days suspension is appropriate for this breach, but the term will have to be 6 national riding days so as to include a South Island riding day.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent’s application for a deferment is granted.

He is suspended under his Class B Licence from riding in races for a period commencing on 5 July 2024, up to and including 12 July 2024 – 6 national riding days.

His record should record that the term of suspension has been extended to 6 from 4 national riding days, for the reason given.