Auckland TR 28 October 2026 – R3 – Rihaan Goyaram
ID: RIB72223
Animal Name:
RAKONUI
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
28/10/2026
Race Club:
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing
Race Location:
Pukekohe Park - 222/250 Manukau Road, Pukekohe Hill, Pukekohe, 2120
Race Number:
R3
Hearing Date:
28/10/2026
Hearing Location:
Pukekohe
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Apprentice Jockey Rihaan Goyaram is suspended for 5 Days
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 3, Class B Jockey, Rihaan Goyaram, admitted a charge that, as the Rider of RAKONUI in the race, he “used his whip 8 times prior to the 100 metres”.
Mr Goyaram was assisted at the hearing by Mr N Harris.
Rule 638 provides:
(g) Subject to the other requirements this Rule 638(3), in a Flat Race or trial (including jump-outs and/or tests for certification purposes), a Rider must not:
(i) except as provided for in (iii) (A) and (iii) (B) of this sub-Rule, 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).
EVIDENCE:
Stipendiary Steward, Ms V Fisher, showed a video replay and identified RAKONUI travelling 3 wide entering the home straight. Ms Fisher then showed Mr Goyaram using his whip 8 times from that point to the 100 metres.
Mr Goyaram and Mr Harris accepted the number of strikes alleged by the Stewards.
DECISION:
The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Ms Fisher noted that Mr Goyaram had only one previous charge under this Rule on Monday 26 October 2026, where he received a $500 fine. She advised that he has had 343 rides in the past 12 months, which indicated a good record under this Rule.
The NZTR Penalty Guide provided for a 5 day suspension for a second offence and the Stewards saw no reason to deviate from the Penalty Guide.
Mr Goyaram had no comment to make. Mr Harris noted that Mr Goyaram was seeking to ride with some more aggression, but had miscalculated with the long straight at Pukekohe.
Mr Goyaram consulted with Licenced Trainer Mr R Manning regarding his future commitments and requested a deferment for the commencement of the penalty until after racing on Saturday 7 November 2026, for him to fulfill his existing engagements.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The Adjudicative Committee accepted the Penalty Guide starting point of a 5 day suspension. There being no aggravating circumstances, the Adjudicative Committee settled on a 5 day suspension as the appropriate penalty.
Mr Goyaram’s Licence to ride is suspended for 5 days. His request for a deferment of the penalty to meet his riding engagements up to 7 November 2026, was granted.
CONCLUSION:
Mr Goyaram’s Licence to ride is suspended from the conclusion of racing on Saturday 7 November 2026, up to and including racing on Saturday 14 November 2026 (5 national racing days).
Decision Date: 28/10/2026
Publish Date: 29/10/2026