R Rotorua 1 December 2021 – R2 – Munna Alam

ID: RIB6184

Respondent(s):
Munna Alam - Jockey

Applicant:
Mr B Jones - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Hon J W Gendall QC

Persons Present:
Mr M Alam, Mr B Jones, Mr M Davidson - Stipendiary Steward

Information Number:
A17161

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless Riding

Rule(s):
638(1)(d) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Admitted

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
01/12/2021

Race Club:
Rotorua Racing Club

Race Location:
Arawa Park Racecourse - 274 - 287 Fenton Street, Glenhome, Rotorua, 3010

Race Number:
R2

Hearing Date:
01/12/2021

Hearing Location:
Rotorua

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Jockey Munna Alam suspended 14 National Riding Days

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following the running of Race 2, the Sweeney Townsend Insurance 3YO, Mr Jones presented an Information charging Mr Alam, the Rider of LAST RESORT, with careless riding in breach of Rule 638(1)(d).

The charge alleged that Mr Alam “allowed his mount to shift in crowding and severely checking [horses] ABLE WHITE, KEYSTONE, LINGJUN HERO, SENSE OF STYLE and BUCCHERI, passing the 900 metres.”

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Davidson illustrated the breach from the race films which clearly showed:

  • Mr Alam’s mount drew very wide and he rode it forward to seek to lead.
  • After about 350 metres he allowed his mount LAST RESORT to angle inwards.  This placed severe pressure on ABLE WHITE (V Colgan) which was forced onto KEYSTONE (Ms C Barnes) which was checked and forced onto LINJUN HERO (T Yanagida), with these being concertina effects, resulting in severe checks to SENSE OF STYLE (M Cameron) and BUCCHERI (Ms L Satherley).
  • Such was the seriousness skirmishing arising from the continuous inward movement of Mr Alam, it appears fortunate that one of the affected horses did not fall.

LAST RESORT went on to run second, with LINJUN HERO finishing third. The other 4 horses had their chances badly affected.

Mr Alam told the Committee that he agreed it was “a bad, terrible ride.”

REASON FOR DECISION:

As Mr Alam admitted the breach it was deemed proved.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Jones advised that Mr Alam completed his Apprenticeship in India but had been riding for 6 months in New Zealand without previous breaches of the Rule.  He emphasised that Mr Alam was nevertheless a Class A Licensed Rider.  He said the riding was at the very high end of carelessness with serious consequences resulting to 5 horses and Riders.

Mr Alam accepted that he had to be suspended for a significant period.

The starting point for “high end” carelessness – is fixed, as a guide, at 10 National Riding Days suspension, and Mr Jones submitted that 14-15 days was required because of the number of other Riders put in jeopardy and the nature of the breach being close to “reckless”.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The Committee fixed the period of suspension at 14 days, with the uplift of 4 days from a “start” being necessary to reflect all the egregious circumstances, and very serious nature of this carelessness.

CONCLUSIONS:

Accordingly, Mr Alam is suspended for 14 National Riding Days to commence at the conclusion of racing today 1 December 2021 and to finish at the conclusion of racing on 26 December 2021. Mr Alam has no engagements to ride over the next 7-10 days so there will be no “deferment” of the penalty, and Rule 1106(2)(a) applies.

Decision Date: 01/12/2021

Publish Date: 06/12/2021