South Canterbury RC 6 October 2023 – R9 – Kin Kwo

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 9, Young Bucks on Track 1600, Class A Jockey, Kin Kwo, admitted a breach of rule 638(1)(d) in that, as the Rider of ARDOUR in the race, he rode carelessly in permitting his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of CHOUX MACHER (Yogesh Atchamah) which was forced inwards into the line of RU BRADAR (Corey Campbell) which was checked near the 200 metres.

Rule 638 provides as follows:

• A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be:

(d)   careless.

 EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Veronica Algar, had Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, show video replays to demonstrate the incident with approximately 200 metres to race. He pointed out ARDOUR, ridden by the Respondent, coming into the race in the final stages, wide on the track. He also pointed out the other two runners involved, CHOUX MACHER and RU BRADAR. He showed that the Respondent’s mount, under a ride, shifted in and took Mr Atchamah’ s mount in, resulting in Mr Campbell having to check. There had been plenty of room initially but the Respondent had gradually shifted in, Mr Oatham said. He did make an effort to turn his horse’s head outwards, but while still riding forward with the whip.

The Respondent referred to the video replay and showed that he had turned his mount’s head out, but he conceded that the damage had been done.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Ms Algar said that the Respondent has three previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule on his record. These are on:

30 October 2022 at Ashburton RC – suspended for 4 days (low-range breach);

11 February 2023 at Riccarton – suspended for 6 days (low-range); and

28 July 2023 at Riccarton – suspended for 4 days (low-range).

Stewards see the present breach as being in the low-to-mid range, Ms Algar said. The Respondent has had 164 rides in the past 12 months, she said.

The Respondent said that he has declared rides at the meeting of Southland RC on 8 October next.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The breach is assessed by the Adjudicative Committee as being in the low-to-mid range. The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (February 2023) suggests a starting point for penalty for such a breach of 6 national riding days.

The Respondent’s riding record may be regarded as a neutral factor. Whilst he has three previous breaches, one will “drop off” later this month, and all three were deemed low-range. In that period, the Respondent has had 164 rides. He is entitled to a discount from the starting point for his admission of the breach and this is fixed at 1 day.

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey, Kin Kwo’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from after the close of racing on 8 October 2023, up to and including 18 October 2023 – 5 national riding day.