Auckland TR 23 March 2022 – R3 – Rahul Beemud

Evidence

Following the running of Race 3, the Respondent Rahul Beemud (Apprentice Jockey) admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.

Apprentice Mentor Noel Harris was present to assist.

Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:

(i) strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins); or

Using the available race films Mr Jones demonstrated that Mr Beemud struck his mount 7 times in the straight prior to the 100m.

In response Mr Beemud agreed with the number of strikes.

Mr Harris who was supporting Mr Beemud, said that Mr Beemud was showing some promise as a Rider and while he struck his mount 7 times, none of them had any force and they were all backhanders. He also submitted that due to Covid they hadn’t had Apprentice School for a while and that this meant that whip breaches by Apprentices were not able to be reviewed at Apprentice School.

Decision

As the Respondent Mr Beemud admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions For Penalty

Mr Jones produced Mr Beemud’s record which indicated 4 previous breaches within the 6 month reset period.

Stewards assessed the breach as low in regard to the force used and submitted a penalty commensurate with the NZTR Revised Penalty Guide for excessive whip use (as of 1 March 2022).

Mr Beemud confirmed his intention to show more focus in counting his number of strikes and advised he could take any proposed suspension immediately.

In response to a question from the Adjudicative Committee, Mr Jones confirm that Mr Beemud had ridden on 59 occasions in the previous 6 months.

Reasons For Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is set out below.

5th breach, 2 additional strikes  – 5+ national days starting point

After considering the film evidence, the submissions and having due regard for the number and frequency of strikes and the force used, the Adjudicative Committee determined that an appropriate starting point for this breach be 6 days. Of particular concern to the Adjudicative Committee was that these 5 breaches had occurred in only 59 rides which makes Mr Beemud’s whip record abysmal, and for this very poor record we impose a further uplift of 2 days, resulting in a total penalty of 8 National Riding Days.

It is prudent that Mr Beemud look to work with Mr Harris to improve his whip use, so as to avoid further suspension, and referral to the Rider Skills Panel.

Conclusion

Mr Beemud has his licence to ride in races suspended for 8 days to commence at the close of racing today and conclude after racing on the 7th of April.