Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 13 June 2024 – R4 – Niranjan Parmar

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 4, the Respondent Class B Rider Niranjan Parmar, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of LEAR JET “he allowed his mount to shift in dictating ARDEE SEVEN inwards onto DRAKE’S DRUM and PING which were checked near the 900m.”  

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

Jason Laking, NZTR Apprentice Mentor, assisted Mr Parmar at the hearing.

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 John Oatham, with the assistance of General Manager of Stewards, Nigel McIntyre, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mr McIntyre pointed out Mr Parmar, riding LEAR JET, racing widest on the track approaching the 900m and the bend out of the back straight, with ARDEE SEVEN, ridden by Terry Moseley, DRAKE’S DRUM, ridden by Lee Callaway and PING, ridden by Krishna Mudhoo, racing on the inside of Mr Parmar. The replays showed Mr Parmar shift in when only 3/4 of a length in front of ARDEE SEVEN, dictating that horse inwards onto both DRAKE’S DRUM and PING and as a result, both horses lost their respective rightful running and were checked, with DRAKE’S DRUM having to take strong evasive action.

In response, the Respondent, through Mr Laking, stated that the incident took place as the horses were on the apex of the bend out of the back straight. Mr Parmar he said, has misjudged his movement and had seen he had horses inside him, had reacted, but did not allow sufficient room for the inside runners.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham produced the Respondent Mr Parmar’s riding record, which indicated 5 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely;

23 September 2023         Marton – 8 days – mid range

31 January 2024              Waikato – 3.5 weeks – causing a fall

3 February 2024               Wingatui – 7 days – Listed Race

6 April 2024                      Auckland – 6 days – relegation

6 June 2024                     Taranaki – 6 day suspension

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham, said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid to high-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide be considered. He added that the aggravating factor was Mr Parmar’s record, showing 5 breaches in the previous 12 months. Mr Oatham stated that Mr Parmar was under suspension from the conclusion of racing this Saturday 13 June, up to and including 26 June 2024. He said that any suspension imposed with this breach, would follow on from those dates.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee agreed with the Stewards and determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the mid to high range and accordingly, adopted an 8-day suspension as the starting point.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as an aggravating factor and a 2-day uplift was applied to the 8-day starting point. In mitigation, Mr Parmar’s admission of the breach warrants a discount, which the Adjudicative Committee sets at 1 day.

After consideration of the above factors, a 9-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 9 national days, commencing after racing on 26 June 2024 and concluding after racing on 7 July 2024.