Auckland TR 12 December 2024 – R1- Rihaan Goyaram

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1, the Respondent Class B Apprentice Rider R Goyaram admitted a charge of careless riding, which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of TURNMEON, he angled his mount outwards when not sufficiently clear, contacting and unbalancing IN THE LOOP (C Barnes) near the 400 metres.

Mr Goyaram acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was assisted at the hearing by Mr Harris (Northern Rider Mentor).

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, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. He pointed out that nearing the 400 metres, TURNMEON (R Goyaram) was racing on the fence near the rear of the field.  IN THE LOOP (C Barnes) was on its outer.  At this point, the field was rounding the home turn into the straight.

Mr Oatham said that Mr Goyaram shifted his mount out abruptly and in doing so contacted IN THE LOOP.  Ms Barnes became unbalanced.  When shifting, there was never a run available for TURNMEON and he was never the required distance clear of IN THE LOOP.  Mr Oatham concluded that Mr Goyaram should have been more patient and waited for a run to emerge, once in the home straight.

In response, Mr Goyaram said he thought that Ms Barnes was going to shift out wider on the track and he was intending to follow her out.

Mr Harris agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident, and he said that Mr Goyaram “just needs to slow down” and think before shifting ground.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward A Dooley produced Mr Goyaram’s riding record, which indicated 3 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule, from 226 rides in the last 12 months. The most recent breach occurred on 8 December 2024 and resulted in a 7 day suspension, which is due to commence on 14 December 2024 and end after racing on 22 December 2024.

Mr Dooley added that Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be low to mid-range

Neither Mr Goyaram nor Mr Harris had anything further to add.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Goyaram’s carelessness to be low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films establish that Mr Goyaram was never the required distance, when he commenced his sharp outward shift and making contact with IN THE LOOP.  As was highlighted by Mr Oatham, he should have waited for a gap to appear once the field entered the home straight.

A one day reduction is applied for Mr Goyaram’s admission of the breach.  However, because this breach is Mr Goyaram’s fourth for careless riding in less than 2 months, a one day uplift is applied to reflect what is now deemed to be a poor record. Particularly so, given the short timeframe over which the four breaches have occurred.

Having considered all of the factors, the Adjudicative Committee issued a 6 day suspension, commencing 23 December 2024, which is immediately after he concludes the suspension that he incurred on 8 December 2024.

Conclusion:

Mr Goyaram’s License to ride in races is suspended for 6 days, commencing on 23 December 2024 and concluding after racing on 31 December 2024.