Southland RC 19 February 2022 – R9 – Savish Khetoo

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 9, Mr Khetoo (Apprentice Jockey) admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that as the Rider of TYLER EIGHT, shifted ground inwards when not sufficiently clear passing the 500 metre mark, checking FINBARR (D Bothamley) and COSY NOOK (L Callaway), both inside runners. 

Mr Khetoo acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. Apprentice Jockey Mentor Mr David Walsh was present to assist.

Rule 638(1) (d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films Stipendiary Steward Miss Rebecca Haley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Stipendiary Steward Miss Veronica Algar said that approaching the 500 metre mark TYLER EIGHT (Mr Khetoo) was struggling to retain his position and Mr Khetoo has allowed the horse to shift inwards when not clear of FINBARR and COSY NOOK and as a result both were checked.

In response, Mr Khetoo said he had made an error of judgement. Mr Walsh acknowledged that TYLER EIGHT was struggling at the point where he has moved inwards. He highlighted the fact that in difficult ground when a horse slows that it is quite difficult to maintain a horse in a straight line.

Decision:

As Mr Khetoo has admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Miss Algar produced Mr Khetoo’s riding record which indicated 4 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely on 20 February 2021 Southland Racing Club (6 day suspension/mid range), 14 August 2021 Riccarton Park (6 days/mid range), 21 October 2021 Otago Racing Club (4 weeks/mid range), 11 December 2021 (4 days/mid range).

Stipendiary Steward Miss Algar said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range.

In terms of any proposed penalty Mr Khetoo submitted that he simply wanted to get the issue over and done with. Mr Walsh said that Mr Khetoo was trying hard and that as an Apprentice Jockey he had ridden in the two major stake races in the day and that he had simply in this instance made an error of judgement on a tiring horse. He also stated that Mr Khetoo’s first offence on 20 February 2021 was only one day away from not being counted in the 12 month period.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions the Adjudicative Committee determined the level of carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 7 suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 September 2021).

The available films clearly established that Mr Khetoo has allowed his horse TYLER EIGHT which was tiring to drift inwards and checking the inside runners.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as an aggravating factor and a 2 day uplift was applied to the 7 day starting point. His admission of the breach and the low range of carelessness in this instance has resulted in a one day reduction.

After consideration of the above factors an 8 day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

Mr Khetoo did not request a deferment and his licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 8 National Riding Days commencing after racing on 20 February 2022 and concluding after racing on 5 March 2022.

The meeting at Hastings on 20 February 2022 was not considered as Rider declarations had closed.