Racing: Purdon to front charges

The blue magic horse doping saga comes to a head tomorrow when top trainer Mark Purdon faces charges of drugging pacer Light And Sound.

His lawyer, Nick Davidson QC, said Purdon would defend his alleged use of the banned raceday drug.

Almost 14 months have passed since Purdon was first charged by Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) with using propantheline bromide, the active ingredient in a supposed performance-enhancer, commonly known as blue magic.

Since then, two key figures have died.

One was Purdon's principal owner John Seaton, who was also to have faced doping charges, and the other was blue magic supplier Robert Asquith. Both deaths are being investigated by the coroner as suspected suicides.

If Purdon is found guilty by the Judicial Control Authority (JCA), he could be disqualified or suspended from training for a long time.

HRNZ plans to call up to 10 witnesses.

In another development, assault charges against Purdon's mother-in-law Julie Shindler have been withdrawn. Shindler was charged after a skirmish with a blue magic protester outside Purdon's stables last July.

She was accused of driving her car at protester Craig Brown, who leapt clear, and assaulting him as he lay on the road.

- NZPA, HERALD ON SUNDAY