Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 20 April 2024 – R10 – Abdul Najib

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following the running of Race 10, Abdul Najib, admitted a charge of excessive whip use on his mount, OCEAN LIGHT, prior to the 100 metres, in that he struck his mount 9 times.

Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that “in a Flat Race, a Rider must not 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”. 

SUBMISSIONS:

Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, showed Mr Najib in the run home strike his mount 9 times. Mr Davidson submitted that the tenth strike was close to the 100 metre mark.

Mr Najib accepted there were nine clear strikes. Mr Najib was assisted by Mr Pitman and Mr Laking in the hearing.

DECISION:

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

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson, said that Mr Najib had a clear record within his six months of riding in New Zealand.

Mr Davidson submitted that the appropriate starting point was a five National Riding Day suspension in reference to the Penalty Guide. Mr Davidson said that an aggravating factor was that the strikes were very close to being consecutive, however, he acknowledged that balanced against this, was Mr Najib’s reasonable record.

Mr Pitman agreed it was a clear breach but drew the Adjudicative Committee’s attention to Mr Najib’s good record and said the strikes were not hard. Mr Najib did not seek a deferment.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee found that a starting point of five days was appropriate as per the Penalty Guide. The strikes were essentially consecutive, however, the Adjudicative Committee agreed that in balance, it was not necessary to uplift for this factor, as Mr Najib had a good record. He was, however, warned that it was necessary to take more care. Accordingly, the appropriate penalty is a five day suspension.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Najib is suspended for five days.

He is suspended for five days up to and including 27 April 2024.