Avondale JC 2 April 2022 – R1 – Niranjan Parmar

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1 Class B (Apprentice) Rider Niranjan Parmar admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of “POZZI VIBE Mr Palmer angled his mount inwards when not sufficiently clear of ALGHIERI and TURNMEON which were both checked near the 1200 metres”. 

Mr Parmar acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was assisted at the hearing by Mr N Harris (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 Stipendiary Steward, Mr B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Jones said that POZZI VIBE jumped from a wide gate at the 1600 metre mark.  He said approaching the 1200 metre mark the Respondent has directed his mount to the inside of MYLETT (T Thornton) and improved into a position that he was not entitled to be in.  The shift resulted in checks to both ALIGHIERI (D Danis) and TURNMEON (B Grylls).

In response, the Respondent stated that he was trying to obtain cover for his mount who was pulling.  Mr Harris advised that it was Mr Parmar’s first ride on the horse and when he shifted in, he had to pull back to avoid checking the horse directly in front of him.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Williamson advised that the Respondent has had two previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule, namely:

22/22/21 at Wanganui – 4-day suspension.

09/11/21 at Te Aroha – 4-day suspension.

Mr Williamson said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range range. He added the Respondent has a reasonably good record and has had some recent success.  He invited the Adjudicative Committee to take into account when assessing penalty, the impact that Covid-19 is currently having on Rider availability.

The Respondent did not seek a deferment to any proposed suspension.  He offered no submissions as to penalty.   On his behalf, Mr Harris said that training recommenced at Apprentice School this week and the Respondent will benefit from ongoing tuition.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions the Adjudicator determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range which has a starting point of a 6-day (suspension). This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent shifted inwards when barely ¾ length clear of ALIGHIERI.  It was noted that POZZIE VIBE was a difficult ride having gone 4 lengths clear early in the run home, then it abruptly ran off the course at an acute angle.  The Respondent was fortunate to have been able to avoid being dislodged.

The Respondent’s riding record is said to be reasonably good, but this has to be tempered by the fact that this is only his first full season riding.  He has 165 raceday rides (this season) and ridden 21 winners.

After taking into account the Respondent’s record, his admission of the breach and the fact that currently Rider availability is being impacted due to Covid-19, a 2-day reduction is applied to the starting point.

After consideration of the above factors a 4-day suspension is imposed.

Conclusion – Penalty:

Mr Parmar’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days commencing after racing on 2 April 2022 and concluding after racing on 8 April 2022.