Pakuranga HC 4 September 2022 – R9 – Niranjan Parmar

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 9, Class B Apprentice Rider Niranjan Parmar admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information (number A18114) alleged that as the Rider of PERFECT SCENARIO Mr Parmar permitted his mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear crowding MARRONI, LOWRY and MASETTO, which were all checked near the 250 metres.

Mr Parmar acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was assisted at the hearing by Trainer Mr Mark Walker.

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, Mr A Dooley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Dooley said that nearing the 250 metres mark, Mr Parmar shifted his mount outwards from an inside position towards the centre of the track.  He said that Mr Parmar continued to ride forward for several strides and consequently MARRONI, LOWRY and MASETTO were checked with each receiving varying degrees of interference.  Mr Dooley added that at no stage was Mr Parmar’s mount his own length and one other clear when he shifted.

In response, neither the Respondent nor Mr Walker had anything further to add.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Oatham advised that this careless riding breach is the Respondent’s sixth within the past 12 months.   He outlined the five previous breaches as follows:

09/11/21 at Te Aroha – 4-day suspension

27/11/21 at Wanganui – 4-day suspension

02/04/22 at Avondale – 5-day suspension

29/04/22 at Rotorua – 4-week suspension (fall)

30/07/22 at Taumaranui – 5-day suspension

Mr Oatham said that the Respondent’s poor record is of considerable concern.  He has had 262 race day rides and although he has had some success, he is still an inexperienced Rider.  As a result, Stewards intend to refer the Respondent to the Rider Skill Panel for remedial training.

Mr Oatham said that this breach resulted in interference to three horses and could well have caused a fall.  In the circumstances, Mr Oatham submitted that the breach should be assessed as being above mid-range.

The Respondent sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 10 September 2022.  He offered no submissions as to penalty.   On his behalf, Mr Walker said that that the evidence was “pretty cut and dry.”

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be above mid-range.  Mid-range has a starting point of a 7-day (suspension). This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent shifted outwards and continued to ride forward when barely a length clear of MARRONI which was checked.  The other two horses were squeezed and checked as a consequence.    It was noted that when the Respondent shifted out, he had a brief look to his outer, but by that stage the interference had already occurred.

The Respondent’s riding record is very poor. This is his sixth breach of the Careless Riding Rule in 10 months.  Although he has had 262 mounts, the ratio of his offending to rides (at about 42 rides per breach) is a significant aggravating factor.

After taking into consideration the Respondent’s record, his admission of the breach and the fact that three horses were checked as a result of his carelessness, a 2-day uplift is applied to the starting point.

Therefore, in consideration of the above factors a 9-day suspension is imposed.

Conclusion:

Mr Parmar is granted a deferment and his licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 9 days commencing after racing on 10 September 2022 and concluding after racing on 23 September 2022.