Southland RC 11 December 2021 – R4 – Kavish Chowdhoory

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following Race 4 The Shoe Clinic Handicap, Apprentice Jockey Kavish Chowdhoory was charged with careless riding permitting his mount Walkthisway to shift ground inwards over the concluding stages crowding and checking Phyllite (C Campbell ).

Mr Chowdhoory did not seek any assistance in the hearing from a Senior Jockey. He confirmed he understood the Rule and he admitted the breach.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Davidson asked Stipendiary Steward Miss Haley to show the video replays of the relevant part of the race which was run over 1200m.

Miss Haley pointed out Walkthisway ridden by Mr Chowdhoory moving inwards when not sufficiently clear crowding Phyllite over the concluding stages. Walkthisway continued on to win this race.

Mr Chowdhoory stated he had made an error of judgement in this instance and agreed with Miss Haley’s summary.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Mr Chowdhoory has admitted the breach which is found proved accordingly.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said that this is Mr Chowdhoorys’ 6th careless riding offence within the last year.

Mr Chowdhoory was suspended for 4 days (low to mid range) on the 26/12/2020 at the Otago Racing Club and fined $500. On the 9/1/2021 he was suspended for 5 days at Kumara for a mid range offence. On the 30/1/2021 at the Riccarton Meeting for a mid to low range offence he was suspended for 6 days and received a fine of $500. On the 20/5 /2021 at the South Canterbury Meeting he was suspended for 6 days (mid range offence) and fined a sum of $500.  On the 21/10/2021 at Otago Racing Club he was suspended for 5 days (mid range offence).

Mr Davidson assessed the degree of carelessness in the present case as being low range. Mr Davidson said that Mr Chowdhoory had had 124 rides and had ridden 22 winners this season and was a very busy Apprentice Jockey having up to 8 rides on most days.

Mr Davidson noted that Mr Chowdhoory’s first 4 suspension penalties were in the very early part of the racing season and he had been vigilant over recent times.

The Penalty Guidelines for a breach of this nature is a 7 National Riding Day suspension .

Mr Chowdhoory had no submissions on penalty and he did not seek a deferment.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The Committee agrees with the Steward’s assessment of the breach as being to mid-low range, accordingly a starting point of 7 days has been adopted in terms of the NZTR revised Penalty Guidelines.

The aggravating factor is that the suspension is Mr Chowdhoory’s 6th careless riding offence over the past 11 months and that the starting point is lifted by one day to 8 days. The sole mitigating factors are Mr Chowdhoory’s admittance of the breach and the fact also that he was a very busy Apprentice Jockey with more rides than most in this category. The Committee gives him a discount of one day with the suspension now being 7 days.

Mr Chowdhoory was reminded of his professional obligations under this Rule and that he will need to exercise far greater care when he resumes riding.

CONCLUSIONS:

Apprentice Jockey Kavish Chowdhoory is suspended for 7 National Riding days, the term to commence after the conclusion of racing on 11/12/2021 to and including 23/12/2021.