NZ Metro TC 21 November 2025 – R7 – Mark Purdon

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 7, the Group 1 Tennant Engineering New Zealand Pacing Oaks, the Respondent Open Driver Mark Purdon admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2).  The particulars of the charge are that “when driving ARAFURA he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.” 

Rule 869 provides that:

(2) No driver shall during any race use a whip in a manner in contravention of the Use of the Whip Regulations made by the Board.

Relevant Whip Regulation applicable follows;

3.1 A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a
rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which
does not engage the shoulder.

Chief Stipendiary Steward Nigel McIntyre used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. He pointed out Mr Purdon driving ARAFURA, racing on the outside of the field nearing the 150 metres. Mr McIntrye demonstrated that Mr Purdon drew his whip and used it on 10 to 12 occasions over the final 150m. Mr Purdon, he added, did not go back to a compliant whip action prior to the line and combined with the numbers of strikes and distance over they were imposed, he said constituted a high range breach. Mr McIntyre said that Mr Purdon won the race by a 1/2 neck margin.

Mr Purdon elected to make no submissions in regard to the incident.

Decision:

The charge is admitted and therefore proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr McIntyre produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a clear record.

He said that Stewards assessed the breach to be high-level, due to the reasons in evidence. As it was a Group 1 Race, with a stake of $225,000, Mr McIntyre stated that the Penalty Guide provided a starting point of a 7 day suspension and in addition, a 50% of the Driver’s fee for a high level breach in a Group 1 Race.  He submitted that 50% of Mr Purdon’s winning driving fee was calculated to be $3,000.

Mr Purdon made no submissions on penalty, apart from requesting that any suspension begin as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

After consideration of the evidence from all parties concerned and viewing the race films of the concluding stages of the race, the Adjudicative Committee also assessed the breach as high -level.

The Penalty Guide provides a 7-day suspension starting point for a mid range initial breach of this Rule in a Group 1 Race and in addition, a fine the equal to 50% of the Driver’s percentage.

It was determined that as the breach was high level, the starting point adopted was an 8 day suspension.

In mitigation, Mr Purdon’s frank admission and good record, warrants a combined discount of 1 day.

After taking consideration of all factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a 7-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty. In addition, a fine equal to 50% of the winning fee being $3000, is imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent is suspended for a period of 7 days, commencing after racing today, 21 November 2025, up to and including 18 December 2025. Relevant race days encompassed in this period of suspension are 27 November – Waikato, 28 November – Auckland, 30 November – Methven, 4 December – Waikato, 5 December – Auckland, 12 December – Auckland and 18 December 2025 – Waikato.

In addition, Mr Purdon is fined the sum of $3,000.