NZ Metro TC 9 November 2021 – R6 – Mark Purdon

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Mr Purdon was charged after Race 6, Garrards Horse & Hound Mobile Pace, that as the Driver of IT’S ALL ABOUT FAITH in the race, he drove carelessly when allowing his drive to strike the sulky wheel of DENY EVERYTHING (Sam Ottley). This occurred shortly after the start.

Mr Purdon had signed the Statement by the Respondent on the Information form indicating that he admitted the breach.

Mr Ydgren explained that Mr Purdon had requested that his attendance at the hearing be excused. He had conveyed to the Stewards that, whilst he was prepared to attend the hearing, it would not be until some time after the last race. With Mr Purdon’s frank admission of the breach and the nature of the breach, Stewards were happy to proceed in his absence, Mr Ydgren said. To ask Mr Purdon, who had a large team of horses racing at the meeting and waiting to be transported home, to wait until well after the last race would involve an animal welfare issue, Mr Ydgren said.

The Committee agreed to waive his attendance in those circumstances.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Ydgren showed a head-on video replay of the race shortly after the start of the 1980 metres mobile start race. DENY EVERYTHING, driven by Ms Ottley, had drawn barrier position 7 and IT’S ALL ABOUT FAITH, driven by Mr Purdon, the outside barrier position 9. As Mr Purdon shifted down, his runner made contact with the sulky wheel of DENY EVERYTHING on its inside. Mr Purdon had been looking behind to see if he could slot in, but had not been paying enough attention to what was happening in front of him, Mr Ydgren said. The tyre on the wheel deflated and DENY EVERYTHING had to drag the punctured tyre, virtually extinguishing its chances, until it stopped quickly from the 600 metres (finishing last it was noted, 23.7 lengths from the winner).

REASON FOR DECISION:

Mr Purdon has admitted the charge which is found proved accordingly.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Unfortunately for Mr Purdon, he had put the race favourite out of the race, effectively, after 400 metres, Mr Ydgren said. He has a clear record.

Mr Ydgren said that the Penalty Guide prescribes a starting point of a 6-drives suspension or a $300 fine. Due to the degree of carelessness and the consequences to DENY EVERYTHING, Stewards were submitting that the starting point fine should be uplifted, to $500 it was submitted. Mr Purdon should receive credit for his good record and admission of the breach, Mr Ydgren said.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The Committee noted the HRNZ Penalty Guide starting point of a $300 fine, a suspension not being appropriate. Having regard, in particular, to the consequences to the race favourite, we have decided on an uplift to the starting point to $500, as submitted by Mr Ydgren. In mitigation, Mr Purdon has a very good record and has made a frank admission to Stewards of the breach. A discount from the uplifted starting point of $100 is appropriate.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Purdon is fined the sum of $400.