Riccarton Park – Hororata 22 March 2025 – R8 – Ashvin Goindasamy

ID: RIB52911

Respondent(s):
Ashvin Chandrasen Goindasamy - Jockey

Applicant:
John Oatham - Chief Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Stewart Ching (Chair) Russell McKenzie

Persons Present:
John Oatham - Chief Stipendiary Steward, Ashvin Goindasamy - Class A Rider

Information Number:
A20267

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Celebratory gesture

Rule(s):
638(2) - Riding/driving infringement - Celebratory gesture

Plea:
Not Admitted

Animal Name:
EPEE BEEL

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
22/03/2025

Race Club:
Canterbury Jockey Club

Race Location:
Riccarton Park - 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch,

Race Number:
R8

Hearing Date:
22/03/2025

Hearing Location:
Riccarton Park

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Jockey Ashvin Goindasamy was fined the sum of $350

Following the running of Race 8, Donaldson Brown South Island Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (Group 3), an Information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham alleging Ashvin Goindasamy, the Rider of EPEE BEEL, had made a celebratory gesture prior to the winning post in breach of Rule 638(2).

Mr Goindasamy acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his denial of the breach.

Rule 638(2) provides: A Rider shall not make a celebratory gesture prior to his horse passing the winning post. 

Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident using the available replays and pointed out Mr Goindasamy make a pronounced celebratory gesture at least 2 strides prior to the winning post.

Mr Goindasamy stated that he had had a couple of bad weeks and it was pay off for that situation, that he made the celebratory gesture. He said that other Riders had been given warnings and let off prior to today and he believed that a warning should be imposed.

Decision

After consideration of the conclusive replays, evidence and submissions presented, the Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that Mr Goindasamy had made a celebratory gesture at least 2 strides prior to the winning post. The Adjudicative Committee therefore found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Typically, breaches of this Rule fall under the Minor Infringement Scheme and incur a $300 fine. However, given that this was a Group 3 event, and that Mr Goindasamy had denied the breach, Mr Oatham submitted that an uplift in penalty be considered and suggested that a fine of between $300 and $400 be considered as penalty.

Mr Goindasamy made no relevant submissions in regard to penalty.

Reasons for Penalty

According to the Penalty Guide, the starting point for a breach of this Rule is a $300 fine.

When breaches occur in races of Black-Type status, which involve higher stakes, it is customary to impose higher penalties. As this was a Group 3 Race with a stake of $100,000, a moderate uplift in penalty was appropriate.

Having consideration of the Group 3 status of the race and the stakes involved, the Adjudicative Committee determined that a $350 fine was appropriate in this case.

Conclusion

Mr Goindasamy is fined the sum of $350.

Decision Date: 22/03/2025

Publish Date: 24/03/2025