Riverton RC 11 May 2022 – R2 – Savish Khetoo

Evidence:

After the conclusion of Race 2, Information A16066 was lodged by Stipendiary Steward, Mr M Davidson alleging that Apprentice Jockey Savish Khetoo used his whip 6 times before the 100m mark.

Mr Khetoo admitted the breach and confirmed that he understood the Rule.

Mr Khetoo was supported by Apprentice Mentor Mr David Walsh in the hearing.

The Rule reads 638(3)(g)(i): No rider shall use his whip more than 5 times prior to the 100m mark.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Miss R Haley demonstrated the incident and identified the horse and Rider concerned. Miss Haley said that from the top of the straight around the 400m mark, to just prior of the 100m mark, Mr Khetoo has used his whip 6 times.

Mr Khetoo agreed with Miss Haley’s summation and said he had “simply made an error of judgement in his counting.”

Decision:

As Mr Khetoo has admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Davidson produced Mr Khetoo’s riding record, which indicated 3 previous breaches under this Rule, namely at the Tapanui Racing Club on 19 December 2021 where he used his whip on 7 occasions and received a 5 day suspension, and then on 19 February 2022 at the Southland Racing Club, Mr Khetoo was charged twice under this Rule and received a 4 day suspension for 6 strikes and a further 4 day suspension for 6 strikes.

Mr Davidson said the Stewards assessed Mr Khetoo’s riding record as poor under this Rule and that he did not see any mitigating factors the Adjudicative Committees could consider in fixing penalty. The NZR revised penalty guides 1 March 2022 recommend for a 4th offence for 1 additional strike be a fine of $500 and a suspension of 2 national riding days.

Mr Davidson alerted the Adjudicative Committee to that fact that SO MUCH MOUR went on to win the race and that a penalty of a fine and a 2-3 day national riding day suspension may be appropriate.

Mr Walsh stated that this was Mr Khetoo’s first race day ride back from suspension, and it was a winning one. He also stated that Mr Khetoo had had an horrendous run of injuries in recent months, and that he was an Apprentice Jockey who worked exceptionally hard to make financial ends meet.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all the submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined that a $500 fine and a 3 day national riding day suspension was appropriate. The lift of 1 day from 2-3 was deemed necessary due to Mr Khetoo’s poor record, 4 breaches in the last 6 months, and also the fact that his horse went on to win the race.

Consideration was given to Mr Khetoo’s admittance of the breach and also to the very difficult personal circumstances in recent months through injury however, these were outweighed by his very poor record.

After consideration of the above factors, a $500 fine and a 3 national riding day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

Mr Khetoo did request a deferment of his suspension, which was granted, and his License to ride in races is suspended for a period of 3 national riding days commencing after racing on 15 May 2022, up to and including 25 May 2022.