Canterbury JC 9 November 2022 – R7 – Kavish Chowdhoory

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 7, Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders Stakes (Group 3), the Respondent Class A Rider, Kavish Chowdhoory, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). It is alleged that the Respondent, as the Rider of SEIKRID in the race, permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of LIVE DRAMA (Lisa Allpress) which was crowded and checked near the 1100 metres.

The Respondent acknowledged that 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 Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, showed the available video replays of the incident. He pointed out SEIKRID, ridden by the Respondent, which had drawn the outside barrier in the 16-horse field at the 1400 metres start, and LIVE DRAMA, ridden by Lisa Allpress, which had drawn barrier 5. He showed the Respondent crossing from wide out and shifting in abruptly onto and crowding Mrs Allpress’s mount, which lost ground and became awkwardly placed on the heels of SANIBEL (Kylie Williams). LIVE DRAMA overraced thereafter, Mr Oatham said.

The Respondent declined the opportunity to comment.

DECISION:

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

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said that the Respondent has three previous breaches on his record – on 3 June at Riccarton (low/mid, 5 days), on 10 March at Riccarton (low/mid, 5 days) and on 11 December 2022 at Invercargill (low/mid, 7 days). This is a reasonable record, Mr Davidson said, and it has been 5 months since his most recent breach. Today is the Respondent’s first day riding as a Class A Rider, he said.

Mr Davidson submitted that the breach was in the mid-range and the Respondent should get credit for his admission. The race was a Group 3.

The Respondent sought a deferment until after racing on 12 November.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Committee assessed the breach as being mid-range, for which the starting point for penalty under the NZTR Revised Penalty Guide is a 7-days suspension. This starting point takes into account the degree of interference to LIVE DRAMA. Mr Chowdhoory’s mount derived no advantage. The starting point is uplifted 1 day for the Group 3 status of the race.

From the uplifted penalty of 8 days, the Respondent is entitled to a discount, which we fix at 1 day, for his admission of the breach. His record is a neutral factor.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent Jockey, Kavish Chowdhoory, is granted a deferment until after 12 November 2022. He is suspended from 13 November 2022 up to and including 24 November – 7 national riding days.