R Tauranga 30 March 2025 – R6 – Munna Alam

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 6, Class A Rider Mr Munna Alam admitted a charge of Careless Riding in that he permitted his mount (REECETHERAGEESE) to shift outwards when insufficiently clear of PENMANSHIP, making firm contact with that runner, which was dictated wider for a distance passing the 450 metre point.

Mr Alam 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 Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr A Dooley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders involved. Mr Dooley explained that prior to the 450 metre mark, REECETHERAGEESE was racing 4 to 5 wide, off the fence. PENMANSHIP was on his outside. Mr Alam allowed his horse to shift out, making contact with PENMANSHIP. This unbalanced PENMANSHIP and dictated that horse wider for a distance.

Mr Alam agreed with the Steward’s interpretation of the incident.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson advised that Mr Alam had only recently returned to riding and had had only 2 rides prior to this race. He therefore had a clear record under the charge.

Mr Davidson said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and suggested a starting point of 6 days.

The Respondent made no comment regarding penalty and did not seek a deferment to any proposed suspension.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all the submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that REECETHERAGEESE shifted ground out onto PENMANSHIP, unbalancing that horse when not sufficiently clear at the 450 metre mark.

From the 6-day starting point, a 1-day reduction was applied for Mr Alam’s admission of the breach.

Conclusion:

Mr Alam is suspended from the conclusion of racing on Sunday 30 March, up to and including racing on Sunday 6 April (5 national race days).