Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 16 November 2024 – R4 – Akshay Balloo

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 4, Wuhan Jockey Club Trophy Premier, Class A Jockey, Akshay Balloo, admitted a charge that, as the Rider of STREET FIGHTIN MAN in the race, he struck his mount 9 times prior to the 100 metres.

Rule 638 provides:

(g) Subject to the other requirements this Rule 638(3), in a Flat Race or trial (including jump-outs and/or tests for certification purposes), a Rider must not:

     (i) except as provided for in (iii) (A) and (iii) (B) of this sub-Rule, strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins).

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, showed a video replay of the final 200-300 metres of the race. He pointed out STREET FIGHTIN MAN, ridden by Mr Balloo, the third-widest runner as the field ran wide turning into the home straight. Mr Balloo then commenced using his whip, and used it 8 times from that point, before switching it to his left hand and striking the horse on one more occasion, prior to the 100 metres. Mr Balloo did not use his whip inside the final 100 metres, Mr Oatham said.

Mr Balloo accepted the number of strikes alleged by Mr Oatham and added that he had not counted. He had not intended to use his whip excessively, but had been caught out by the long straight, he said.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that Mr Balloo has two previous breaches on his record:

21 July at Oamaru – 8 strikes prior to the 100 metres, suspended 5 days; and

10 August at Riccarton – 8 strikes prior to the 100 metres, suspended 6 days.

For a third breach, Mr Oatham said, the Penalty Guide provides a starting point of 5+ national days. He submitted that a starting point of 6 days or more, was appropriate. Mr Balloo is due to commence a period of 8-days suspension for careless riding after today’s meeting, to conclude on 28 November.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

For this, a third breach involving four additional strikes, the RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide suggests a starting point of 5+ national days. Factors to be taken into consideration in assessing penalty in this case are that Mr Balloo was last suspended in August for three additional strikes, for which he received a 6-days suspension. The present breach involved four additional strikes and the penalty needs to be greater than 6 days. A 1-day uplift is deemed appropriate by the Adjudicative Committee.

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey, Akshay Balloo’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from after the close of racing on 28 November, up to and including 7 December 2024, after which date he may ride – 7 National Riding Days.