Avondale JC 21 July 2021 – R 1 – Ashvin Goindasamy

ID: RIB3431

Respondent(s):
Ashvin Goindasamy - Apprentice Jockey

Applicant:
Mrs L Selvakumaran - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr G R Jones

Persons Present:
Mr Goindasamy, Mr N Harris -Rider Mentor, Mrs Selvakumaran, Mr M Williamson - Stipendiary Steward

Information Number:
A16202

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless Riding

Rule(s):
638(1)(d) - Contravention whip rule

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
TIMBERLAKE

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
21/07/2021

Race Club:
Avondale Jockey Club Inc

Race Location:
Avondale Racecourse - Ash Street, Avondale, Auckland, 1026

Race Number:
R1

Hearing Date:
21/07/2021

Hearing Location:
Avondale JC racecourse

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Apprentice Jockey Mr Ashvin Goindasamy was suspended for 4 days and fined $300.

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 1, the Avondale Sunday Markets 2100. Stipendiary Steward, Mrs Selvakumaran filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of TIMBERLAKE (A Goindasamy) rode carelessly in that he permitted his mount to shift out near the 300 metres when not clear of O’SUSANA which was hampered.

Mr Goindasamy acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach.

Rule 638(1) (d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Judicial Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films Stipendiary Steward Mr Williamson demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned; namely TIMBERLAKE (A Goindasamy), O’SUSANA (S Spratt), ZENNTARI (S Collett) and LA CASA (K Asano).

Mr Williamson told the Committee that rounding the home turn Mr Goindasamy improved his mount from 3 back on the rails into a one-off position on the inside of O’SUSANA. He said nearing the 300-metre mark Mr Goindasamy anticipated a run between ZENNTARI, who was on the rails, and O’SUSANA. He said Mr Goindasamy persisted in taking the run, which was marginal and in doing so made contact with O’SUSANA who was hampered and eventually ended up on the heels of LA CASA. He added that at the point prior to contact being made Mr Goindasamy was obliged to ease back and he did not do so.

In response, Mr Goindasamy stated that his mount was going well and he tried too hard to take the gap. In support, Mr Harris submitted that Mr Goindasamy misjudged the situation and he should have waited for the gap to open and exercise more patience.

Decision:

As Mr Goindasamy admitted the breach the Committee found the charge proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Mrs Selvakumaran produced Mr Goindasamy’s riding record which indicated 3 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months. The first having occurred on 14 November 2020. The most recent occurred on 17 April 2021 at Hawkes Bay and resulted in an 8-day suspension and $500 fine. Mrs Selvakumaran submitted that his riding record ought to be treated as a neutral factor given, as he has had 617 rides this season.

Mrs Selvakumaran said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range. She said that there were no aggravating factors associated with the breach and his admission ought to be considered as a mitigating factor.

Mr Goindasamy advised that he has commitments up to and including racing on 24 July 2021. He had nothing further to add in terms of penalty. Mr Harris submitted that Mr Goindasamy is a highly sought-after Apprentice Rider.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race film, the Committee determined Mr Goindasamy’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and adopted a 4-day (suspension) and $250 (fine) as the starting point. This conforms with the Penalty Guide which recommends a 4 day/$250 fine as the starting point for low-range carelessness.

The available films clearly established that Mr Goindasamy forced a run when not clear of O’SUSANA who was checked and hampered. Mr Goindasamy’s mount went on and won the race.

Mr Goindasamy’s riding record was assessed as being a neutral factor.

After considering Mr Goindasamy’s admission of breach and the above factors the Committee deemed that an appropriate suspension was 4 (national) days and $300 fine. The fine represents a $50 uplift from the $250 starting point to take account of the breach being assessed as low to mid-range. It is also a modest uplift reflecting the fact that in forcing the run, Mr Goindasamy’s mount won the race.

Conclusions:

Accordingly, Mr Goindasamy’s licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days commencing after racing on 24 July 2021 and concluding after racing on 1 August 2021. In addition, a $300 fine of is imposed.

The meeting at Oamaru is not included as Rider declarations for that meeting have closed.

Decision Date: 21/07/2021

Publish Date: 22/07/2021