Matamata RC 20 December 2024 – R1 – Niranjan Parmar

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1, Apprentice Rider N Parmar admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of SHAMEL EXPRESS, he allowed his mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of EL ZORO, which was checked near the 375 metre mark. He then continued to shift outwards hampering WAIATA shortly thereafter. 

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. Mr Noel Harris was present to assist.

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, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. He said that Mr Parmar was on the fence with EL ZORO (R Elliot) following him, WAIATA (Mr Hashizume) was further back one out.

Approaching the 375 metre point, Mr Elliot moved EL ZORO forward to the outside of SHAMEL EXPRESS. Mr Parmar then shifted outwards, when not sufficiently clear of EL ZORO, causing that horse to be checked. Mr Parmar then continued to move outwards, which inconvenienced WAIATA, which was making ground on his outside.

In response, Mr Harris supporting Mr Parmar, acknowledged that it was a case of an Apprentice misjudging the situation. His horse had not been travelling well enough and he should not have moved out. He agreed with Mr Jones’ summing up of the incident.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Jones produced the Respondent’s riding record, which indicated 6 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months. These were:

19/10/24 – 8 days

13/6/24  – 9 days

6/6/24 – 6 days

6/4/24 – 6 days

3/2/24 – 7 days

31/1/24 – 3.5 weeks

Mr Parmar has had 387 mounts in the past 12 months.

Mr Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range and the Adjudicative Committee needed to consider Mr Parmar’s record, which they considered to be poor.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements on Saturday 21 December at Te Rapa and sought a deferment to meet those commitments.

In terms of any proposed penalty, Mr Harris noted Mr Parmar had recently changed stables and he also noted that he had admitted the breach.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent shifted outwards, when not sufficiently clear, causing EL ZORO to be checked; he then continued to move outwards, inconveniencing WAIATA.

Mr Parmar’s record is poor, having 6 careless riding charges in the last 12 months and was considered to be an aggravating factor.

Having considered the level of carelessness, Mr Parmar’s admission, riding status and record, the Adjudicative Committee determined that a 1 day uplift to the starting point is appropriate.

Conclusion:

Mr Parmar’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 21/12/24 and concluding after racing on 30/12/24.