R Rotorua 16 November 2025 – R3 – Munna Alam

ID: RIB60783

Respondent(s):
Munna Alam - Jockey

Applicant:
Mr A Dooley - Senior Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr B Mainwaring (Chair) and Ms J Howard

Persons Present:
Mr Dooley, Mr Jones, Ms Kinsey - Stipendiary Stewards, Mr Alam

Information Number:
A19115

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Use of Whip above shoulder height

Rule(s):
638(3)(f)(ii) - Contravention whip rule

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
PURE BARS

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
16/11/2025

Race Club:
Rotorua Racing Club

Race Location:
Arawa Park Racecourse - 274 - 287 Fenton Street, Glenhome, Rotorua, 3010

Race Number:
R3

Hearing Date:
16/11/2025

Hearing Location:
Arawa Park Racecourse - Fenton Street, Rotorua

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Class A Rider Munna Alam is fined $500

Following the running of Race 3, Class A Rider Mr Munna Alam, admitted using his whip in an action above shoulder height on his mount PURE BARS.

Rule 638(3)(f)(ii) provides:

Without limiting the generality of subrule 638 (3)(f)(ii), in a Flat Race.

A Rider must not use his/her whip:

(ii)using an action that raises the Rider’s arm above shoulder height.

Mr Alam confirmed that he understood the Rule and admitted the charge.

EVIDENCE

Using the available race films, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley demonstrated that Mr Alam struck his mount on one occasion in the straight using an arm action above his shoulder height.

PURE BARS finished out of contention in eleventh place.

In response, by way of explanation, Mr Alam acknowledged that his whip action was incorrect.

DECISION

As Mr Alam admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley produced Mr Alam’s record, which indicated a breach of this Rule on 18 June 2025, in that he struck his mount 5 times using an action above the shoulder. He was fined $450. The second breach was on 26 July 2026, in that he struck his mount forcefully 5 times using the same incorrect action. He was suspended for 5 days in preference to a fine. Mr Dooley said that the Penalty Guidelines provides a starting point guide of $250 for a first offence (as of February 2025) and as this was his third offence within the reset period, over a small number of rides, a minimum penalty fine of $500 would be appropriate.

In response, Mr Alam said that he had nothing to add.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The Adjudicative Committee determined that although Mr Alam only struck his mount on one occasion using the incorrect action, he has had limited rides over the reset period and his technique and forcefulness is a recurring problem. Considering that this was Mr Alam’s third breach of a similar nature, an uplift was required.

CONCLUSION

Mr Alam is fined $500.

Decision Date: 16/11/2025

Publish Date: 20/11/2025