Racing Rotorua 1 July 2026 – R5 – Rihaan Goyaram

Background:

Following the running of Race 5, the ‘Sherlock Contracting 1560’, an Information was lodged alleging a breach of Rule 638(1)(d). Details are as follows:

‘in that he permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of JACK IN THE BOX which dictated inwards resulting in FINAL REASON and LADY MAK being checked near the 1400′.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides:

A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

The Respondent confirmed to the Adjudicative Committee that he understood the Rule and admitted the breach. Ms Clapperton (apprentice mentor) was present in the hearing to assist Mr Goyaram.

Evidence:

Using available film, Stewards identified the incident and horses involved. The 1560m start at Rotorua is situated just before the turn into the back straight. ELLE MCFAB drew gate 8. After the start the Respondent is seen to push his mount forward and at the same time cross to be closer to the fence. When doing so he is insufficiently clear of those horses to his inside. As a result JACK IN THE BOX (Mr Tom Wigram) is forced inwards squeezing both FINAL REASON (Mr Joe Nishizuka) and LADY MAK (Ms Jasmine Fawcett) who are checked.

When asked the Respondent commented that whilst he admitted the breach its consequence to some extent reflected the inexperience of the apprentice jockey immediately to his inside. He also added the the short distance from the 1560m start point and the bend out of the straight creates difficulty.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

Submissions as to Penalty:

Stewards outlined the Respondent’s record as it relates to any breach of this Rule within the twelve-month careless riding ‘reference’ period. Noted were previous breaches as follows:

5/7/2025 – suspended 5 days – low range

23/8/2025 – suspended 5 days – low range

1/10/2025 – suspended 4 weeks -causing a fall

6/2/2026 – suspended 5 days – low range

25/2/2026 – suspended 7 days – mid range

1/3/2026 – suspended 7 days – low/mid range

11/4/2026 suspended 9 days fined $265 – mid range (Hawkes Bay Cup)

Mr Goyaram has had 317 race day rides over this period. Stewards contended that the breach sat ‘mid range’. They referred the committee to the NZTR Penalty Guide adding that, given record, an uplift in penalty could be expected. Mr Goyaram conveyed that any suspension was able to commence after riding commitments at the Waverley RC meeting on 4th July 2026. Subsequent to the hearing the committee were informed that Mr Goyaram, at the time of the breach, had been declared as rider for 2 horses at the Racing Te Aroha meeting on 5th July 2026.

Reasons for Penalty:

Available film did to the satisfaction of the Adjudicative Committee identify the breach. The Respondent was insufficiently clear when moving in toward the fence with his actions effecting the check to those horses to his inside. The ‘squeeze’, although minor did cost 2 horses 1 to 2 lengths. The respondents comments were noted. After consideration the Adjudicative Committee determined the breach to be low to mid range. Referenced to the current NZTR Guide, a 6-day suspension was set as the starting point. An uplift of 2 days was imposed to reflect what is a poor, concerning record. In turn a 1 day reduction was applied to acknowledge ready admission of the breach. A 7 day suspension was thus deemed appropriate. Commencement of the suspension is deferred until conclusion of racing on 5 July 2026 to enable Mr Goyaram to satisfy his riding commitments as they then legitimately stood.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for 7 national riding days commencing after racing on 5 July 2026 and concluding after racing on 17 July 2026.