Ashburton RC 6 July 2023 – R4 – Savish Khetoo

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 4, the Respondent Class B Rider Savish Khetoo, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that “as the rider of MISS HARLEY QUINN he allowed his mount to shift inwards dictating DIVINE DIVE inwards onto DORIS DIOR, inwards onto ZACAT which was checked near the 1100m”. 

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. Mr Khetoo was assisted at the hearing by NZTR Apprentice Mentor, David Walsh.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson, with the assistance of Chief Stipendiary Steward Nigel McIntyre, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Stipendiary Steward Mr McIntyre showed the available films and pointed out the incident. He said that shortly after the start, and approaching the 1100 metre mark, the Respondent shifted ground inwards when only a bare length ahead of  DIVINE DIVE, who was dictated inwards onto DORIS DIOR, who was forced inwards onto ZACAT, who was checked.

In response, the Respondent with assistance from Mr Walsh, stated he was trying too hard and was looking in when he continued shifting in, causing the interference. Mr Walsh stated that Mr Khetoo only had to keep on a straight line for a few more strides to ensure he was clear of the inside runners before crossing.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson produced the Respondent Mr Khetoo’s riding record, which indicated 3 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely Otago – 1 November 2022 (6 days), Riverton – 8 April 2023 (5 days), and Ashburton – today, 6 July 2023 (7 days).

The Respondent, he said, has had 105 mounts in the past 12 months.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson, said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be above the mid-range. He added that Mr Khetoo was already under suspension from the conclusion of racing today, for a breach in Race 1 at today’s meeting. Mr Davidson stated that any suspension imposed for this breach would start immediately after the first penalty.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee agreed with the Stewards and determined the Respondent, Mr Khetoo’s carelessness to be above mid-range and accordingly, adopted an  8-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as an aggravating factor, with 3 breaches in the prior 12 months.  This warranted an uplift in penalty which was set at 2 days.

Mr Khetoo’s frank admission of the breach was a mitigating factor, with a discount of 1 day being applied to the suspension.

After consideration of the above factors, a 9-National Day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent, Mr Khetoo’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 9 days commencing after racing today,19 July 2023, up to and including racing on 2 August 2023.