Avondale JC 12 October 2022 – R5 – Rahul Beemud

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, the Respondent Class B Rider Mr Beemud admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of GOLDEN HUE, he permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of PISCO SOUR (M McNab) which was checked passing the 1000 metres.  

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was assisted at the hearing by Mr N Harris.

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 Dooley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned shortly after they left the barrier at the 1200 metre start, namely GOLDEN HUE and PISCO SOUR.

Mr Dooley said that approaching the 1000 metre mark the Respondent was riding his mount forward, intent on leading, after drawing barrier number 2.  In doing so, PISCO SOUR who drew barrier number 1, and was on the inside of GOLDEN HUE, was tightened and placed in restricted room.  He said that Mr Beemud was never clear of PISCO SOUR, who after being tightened, had to be checked off the heels of GOLDEN HUE. Mr Dooley pointed out that PISCO SOUR may have overreacted, but it was entitled to hold its ground on the rails.

In response, the Respondent had nothing further to add. Mr Harris said that he agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Jones said that Mr Beemud’s riding record under the Careless Riding Rule has been clear in the past 12 months.  Over that period, he has had 113 rides and in total has had 198 career race rides.

Mr Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range. In mitigation, he said that Mr McNab’s mount did overreact when tightened.

Mr Beemud sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 15 October 2022. He had nothing further to add in terms of penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be low range and adopted a 5-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films established that GOLDEN HUE shifted inward when not clear of PISCO SOUR. The shift was about one-horse width and was not abrupt. However, he was never his own length and one other clear of PISCO SOUR who did overreact slightly.

The Respondent has admitted the breach and he has a good riding record under the Rule. Accordingly, a 1-day reduction is applied to the 5-day starting point.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed. Mr Beemud’s application for a deferment is granted.

Conclusion:

Mr Beemud’s license to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 15 October 2022 and concluding after racing on 21 October 2022.