Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 25 October 2025 – R4 – Akshay Balloo

Following the running of Race 4, NZB Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series Rating 65, Class A Jockey, Akshay Balloo, admitted a breach of Rule 638(3)(f)(iii) in that, as the Rider of FLOWER MOON in the race, he “struck his mount when not in contention over the concluding stages of the race”.

Rule 638 provides:

   (3)   (f) Without limiting the generality of subrule (3)(e), in a Flat Race . . . a Rider must not use his or her whip:

          (iii) when the Rider’s horse is out of contention of finishing in the first five placings.

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, showed a video replay of the final 300 metres of the race. He pointed out FLOWER MOON, ridden by Mr Balloo, racing among the last few runners in the 13-horse field turning into the home straight. From that point, Mr Balloo used his whip a total of ten times, Mr Oatham alleged. Stewards’ main concern was, although the horse was running on, the horse had no chance of finishing in the first five placings. Riders must not use the whip, particularly over the final 100 metres, when not in contention of finishing in the first five placings, Mr Oatham said.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that FLOWER MOON finished 11th in the race (3.8 lengths from the winner).

Mr Balloo explained that he thought his horse was running on, but accepted that there was a faster bunch in front of him before the line. He said it was a misjudgment on his part, as he agreed he was too far back to use his whip. He added that he was “caught in the moment”.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that Mr Balloo has a clear record under the Rule. The Penalty Guide starting point for a first breach is a fine of $300, and Stewards saw the penalty as being at that level, he said.

Mr Balloo did not wish to make any penalty submission.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

“Out of contention” usually means the horse has dropped out, or is not in a competitive position, or cannot improve its placing. There have clearly been a number of strikes with the whip, in this case, where the horse was “out of contention” in terms of that definition. Breaches of this Rule are relatively rare.

The RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2025) provides a starting point for a breach of the Rule of a $300 fine. That is for a medium-level breach. This breach qualifies as medium-level, the Adjudicative Committee found. Mr Balloo has a clear record under the Rule and has made a very frank admission of the breach, but those factors do not warrant, in this case, a reduction from the Penalty Guide starting point, having regard to the number of strikes when the horse was clearly out of contention.

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey, Akshay Balloo, is fined the sum of $300.