NZ Metro TC 13 February 2026 – R8 – Mark Hurrell

Following the running of Race 8, Fahey Fence Hire (54th) NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes (Group 1), Open Driver, Mark Hurrell, as the Driver of BEACH DAY in the race, admitted a charge that he drove carelessly in that he “shifted outwards near the 100 metres, checking MHAI SURFER GIRL (Matthew White)”.

Rule 869 provides:

(3)  No driver in any race shall drive:- 

    (b) carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Nigel McIntyre, showed the available replays of the incident, nearing the 100 metres. Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, pointed out on the replays BEACH DAY, driven by Mr Hurrell, racing three places back on the markers as the field turned into the final straight. Into the straight, the two leaders had put a break of several lengths on BEACH DAY, racing 3rd. Improving to the outside of BEACH DAY was MHAI SURFER GIRL (Matthew White) and to the outside of that runner, was FRANCENT (Samantha Ottley).

Mr Renault then showed BEACH DAY shift out and force MHAI SURFER GIRL wider on the track. However, Mr Renault said, MHAI SURFER GIRL had FRANCENT ahead of it and to its outside and, therefore, Mr White could not shift wider, and MHAI SURFER GIRL suffered a check. Mr Hurrell had shifted out when not sufficiently clear, Mr Renault said.

Mr Hurrell said that, at the top of the straight, he had taken a run to the inside. He could then not get a run and had come to the outside at the same time as Mr White. He had held his ground and “crowded him a fraction”, he said. There was no contact made and MHAI SURFER GIRL had been able to overtake him prior to the finish, and there had been no impact on that runner, Mr Hurrell said.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it was found proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr McIntyre said that Mr Hurrell has a clear record under the Careless Driving Rule. He has had 37 drives to date this season and, in the 2025 season, had 261.

Mr McIntyre then referred to the Penalty Guide suggested starting point for a first breach in a Group or Listed Race of a 5-days suspension. This was for a mid-level breach, he said. It was fortunate for Mr Hurrell that MHAI SURFER GIRL had beaten his runner home, and that  there was no impact on that runner. Stewards saw the appropriate penalty as sitting somewhere in the vicinity of a 4-days suspension, Mr McIntyre said.

Mr Hurrell said that any term of suspension could start immediately after the meeting of Gore HRC on 15 February, at which meeting he had a number of notified drives.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) suggests a starting point for penalty for a first, careless driving breach in a Group/Listed Race of a 5-days suspension. That is for a mid-level breach, as Mr McIntyre pointed out.

The present breach is low-level, the Adjudicative Committee finds. Mr Hurrell’s outward movement was relatively slight, and only minor interference was caused to MHAI SURFER GIRL. Had Mr Hurrell’s runner finished ahead of that runner, relegation may have followed, making the breach a more serious one. However, MHAI SURFER GIRL was able to recover and finish ahead of BEACH DAY. No other runner was affected.

The breach being a low-level one, the appropriate starting point for penalty is a 4-days suspension. Relevant mitigating factors are Mr Hurrell’s clear record and his admission of the breach. For those mitigating factors, the Adjudicative Committee is able to give a reduction of 1 day from that adjusted starting point.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Hurrell’s Open Driver’s Licence is suspended from after the close of racing on 15 February 2026, up to and including 22 February 2026 – 3 days.