Auckland TC 22 August 2025 – R8 – Mark Purdon

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 8, Driver Mr M Purdon was charged with a breach of Rule 869(3)b) in that he drove carelessly entering the first bend by shifting ground inwards when insufficiently clear of BETTER KNUCKLE UP (C Hackett),  which was checked.

The Respondent endorsed the Information ‘I do admit the breach of the rule’ and confirmed he understood the rule and the nature of the charge.

Rule 869(3)(b) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

Using available video footage, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr S Renault identified the horses involved in the incident namely, AKUTA driven by Mr M Purdon and BETTER KNUCKLE UP driven by Ms C Hackett.   He said that entering the first bend, Mr M Purdon had been in the one/one position and then shifted down into the trail. He was insufficiently clear of BETTER KNUCKLE UP when shifting in and had caused that horse to be checked.

In explanation, Mr Purdon stated that he agreed with the Stipendiary Steward’s summary, and he should have pulled in behind BETTER KNUCKLE UP.

Decision:

The charge is admitted by the Respondent and is therefore deemed proved.

Penalty Submissions:

Mr Renault considered the charge was mid range, with a starting point for a first offence of a $500 fine or a 2 day suspension. Mr Purdon to date had a clear record, with 32 drives this season. However, an aggravating factor was that Ms Hackett’s horse had been checked.

Mr Purdon stated he preferred a fine to a suspension.

Initial Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee considered that the charge was more low to mid range and on the night, determined that Mr Purdon be fined $500.

Review of Penalty:

Subsequent to the race night, the Stewards advised the Adjudicative Committee that there had been an error in penalty submissions and in fact Mr Purdon did not have a clear record, as a previous breach under this Rule had occurred on 28 March 2025, which was within the 6 month reset period.

Being a second offence under the Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024), there is no provision for a fine and the starting point for a low range breach is a 3 day suspension.

Based on the Steward’s advice that they had erred by not presenting Mr Purdon’s previous breach, in accordance with s56 of the Fifth Schedule of the Rules of Harness Racing, the Adjudicative Committee replaced the $500 fine with a 3 day suspension.

By way of clarity, s56 of the Fifth Schedule empowers an Adjudicative Committee to correct its decision in circumstances where there has been a mistake, or error arising from any accidental slip or omission.

The Adjudicative Committee considered the charge was low range (starting point, a 3 day suspension), as the check to BETTER KNUCKLE UP was minor. Mr Purdon, to his credit, admitted the breach.

Mr Purdon was advised of the error and had no objection. He did not seek a deferment of the suspension.

Conclusion:

The suspension therefore commences following racing on 22 August and concludes following racing on Thursday 4 September (3 Northern Race Days).