Protesting racing fan has to leap for his life

A Christchurch grandmother has been charged with attacking a "Blue Magic" protester outside the stables of her son-in-law, leading horse trainer Mark Purdon.

Julie Shindler is accused of driving her car at the protester, who leaped clear, then assaulting him as he lay sprawled on the side of the road.

Craig Brown was holding a placard that pointedly referred to Purdon's alleged link to Blue Magic.

Purdon faces Harness Racing New Zealand charges of giving pacer Light And Sound a performance enhancer called propantheline bromide. The drug is found in a banned raceday substance known as Blue Magic.

Now the fallout has enveloped Shindler, whose daughter, Vicki, is married to Purdon.

Shindler has been charged with assault with a weapon and assault, a stunning turn for a grandmother who makes morning tea for staff at Purdon's All Star Stables.

The case is due to be called this week in Christchurch District Court.

"I have got nothing to say," Shindler said.

"You can't have much to write about if you've got to write about something silly like that."

Mr Brown, 43, is a harness racing enthusiast and former stablehand with no known connection to the Purdon family.

In November 1999 he was involved in a tense showdown with police in Cathedral Square in Christchurch.

Allegedly intent on suicide, Mr Brown painted a circular target on his chest and pointed an unloaded shotgun at a constable on patrol.

He surrendered to armed police and, after apologising for his crime, served 20 months in jail.

Looking back, Mr Brown said he had been overwhelmed by social phobias and destructive behaviour.

"I've got a bad reputation," he said. "I was a menace, an absolute menace."

These days Mr Brown prefers the quiet pace of his parents' West Melton farm.

"I'm well over my violent tendencies," he said. "I've gone through a lot of troubles in my life ... and I'm quite proud about where I've come."

Mr Brown felt compelled to protest against Blue Magic when he went to Purdon's All Star Stables last July 26.

"I wanted to stand up about this drug case ... I just felt I had to do it, for my own goodness," he said.

"I love the horses, mate. I could sit there and watch them all day; the colour, the people, it's a beautiful game."

The alleged assault is the latest twist in a Blue Magic story already marked by extraordinary drama.

Two men at the centre of doping inquiries are dead - millionaire owner John Seaton and Blue Magic supplier Robert Asquith.

The doping charges against Purdon are unable to be heard until a separate High Court challenge to Harness Racing New Zealand's rules is resolved.

A date for the judicial review has still to be set.

- NZPA