Whangarei RC 15 August 2026 – R8 – Rihaan Goyaram

Following the running of Race 8, DALTONS 1400m, Mr Rihaan Goyaram, the Rider of BERENHARD, was charged with careless riding pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) of the Rules.  Mr Goyaram admitted the charge and assured the Adjudicative Committee he understood the Rule breach and the effects and implications of his admission. As Mr Goyaram was an Apprentice Jockey, he had Mr Joe Doyle with him as a support person.

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, Ms Fisher, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Ms Fisher said that around 950 metres, the Respondent’s mount, BERENHARD, has shifted ground inwards onto DOMAIN ACE ridden by Ms S Collett, who was checked to keep off the heels of BERENHARD.  Both views of the race films demonstrated the move in and the absence of sufficient room in front of DOMAIN ACE, for this manoeuvre to have occurred safely.  Ms Collett’s mount raised his head due to the interference and Ms Collett could be seen checking her mount to avoid clipping heels.

The Respondent had nothing to say about the interference.  Mr Doyle pointed out that DOMAIN ACE’s raising of his head, tended to exaggerate the level of interference.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Dooley detailed the Respondent’s riding record, which indicated 7 previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely 23/8/25, 1/10/25, 6/2/26, 25/2/26, 1/3/26, 11/4/26, and  1/7/26.   Mr Goyaram had 329 rides in this period, which demonstrates he is a busy Rider.

The Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range, accepting that DOMAIN ACE’s reaction made the move look worse than it was.  The starting point was therefore 5 days suspension.  The Stewards considered an uplift of 2 days appropriate, due to the Respondent’s poor record.

The Respondent requested any suspension start at the close of racing on 19 August 2026.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low range, for the reasons advanced by Mr Doyle and accepted by Mr Dooley and adopted a 5 day suspension as the starting point. The Respondent had readily admitted the charge and had been cooperative and candid about the earlier breaches, therefore the Adjudicative Committee applied a reduction of 1 day from the starting point.  However, due to Mr Goyaram’s poor record, the Stewards’ submission requesting an uplift of 2 days, was accepted.

After consideration of the above matters, a 6 day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for the suspension to commence after racing on 19 August 2026 is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, deferred until after racing on 19 August and concluding after racing on 29 August 2026.