Canterbury JC 9 November 2022 – R7 – Akshay Balloo

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 7, Valachi Downs CanterburyBreeder Stakes (Group 3), the Respondent Jockey, Akshay Balloo, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). It was alleged that the Respondent permitted his mount, AMAZON GODDESS, to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of MONZA CIRCUITO (Rohan Mudhoo) which had to be checked near the 1050 metres.

The Respondent acknowledged that he understood the Rule and and confirmed his admission of the breach.

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

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, used a video replay to point out the two runners, approximately 350 metres after the start of the 1400 metres race. He pointed out AMAZON GODDESS, ridden by the Respondent, which had started from barrier 14 in the 16-horse field, racing 3-wide near the lead, with MONZA CIRCUITO (drawn 13) to its inside. He then showed the Respondent shift his mount into the line of Mr Mudhoo’s mount when not fully clear and, as a result, Mr Mudhoo had to take quite a hold of his mount. The Respondent was only a bare length clear, Mr Oatham submitted.

The Respondent said that he had come across and misjudged the distance that he was clear. He said that he should have kept going, but the leader was easing up in front of him, and he was easing his mount at the same time.

Mr Davidson said that Mr Mudhoo had told Stewards that he was happy for the Respondent to cross him, but he needed more room.

DECISION:

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

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said that Stewards saw the breach as being low-range. Mr Balloo’s record showed two previous breaches – at Riccarton on 20 January (above mid-range, suspended 7 days) and on 30 October at Ashburton (low/mid, 5 days). That record can be regarded as neutral, Mr Davidson said. He should receive credit for his admission of the breach. A period of suspension of 5 days would be an appropriate penalty, Mr Davidson submitted. Mr Davidson informed the Adjudicative Committee that the Respondent has a suspension after today’s meeting up to and including 16 November.

The Respondent repeated that he had been guilty of an error of judgement.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The breach is low-range, for which the starting point for penalty under the NZTR Revised Penalty Guidelines is a 5-days suspension. The Respondent’s record under the Careless Riding Rule is not a bad one. He has admitted the breach. The normal penalty in the circumstances of this case would be a 4-days suspension, but we impose a 5-days suspension to include a South Island Raceday – Cromwell on 25 November.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent, Jockey Akshay Balloo, is suspended from 17 November 2022 up to and including 25 November 2022 – 5 national riding days.