Racing: Purdon to miss Interdom Final

Mark Purdon will not drive Auckland Reactor in the Interdom Final. Photo / Paul Estcourt

New Zealand reinsman Mark Purdon is "gutted" by a six-week suspension which will rob him of the chance to win the Interdominion Final driving Auckland Reactor.

Purdon was suspended from driving until Apirl 30 by Queensland harness racing stewards last night for his drive behind Auckland Reactor in a heat of the Interdominions last Saturday.

Purdon initially said he was unlikely to appeal and if he doesn't Tony Herlihy will now drive Auckland Reactor in his heat on Saturday night and almost certainly in the A$1 million ($1.26 million) final on March 28.

Purdon was found guilty of not giving the champion pacer all reasonable chances to win last Saturday's heat, in which he finished second to Karloo Mick.

Auckland Reactor settled in the one-one in the race but was shuffled back to near last when Purdon elected not to pull out and move forward at the 1200m mark.

He stormed home for second but as the $1.10 favourite his defeat cost punters on both sides of the Tasman a fortune.

Purdon told stewards Auckland Reactor did not feel himself before the race after a tiring week in which he won the Auckland Cup and then had to travel for 24 hours to get to Queensland.

And he said a slight mouth injury suffered in the stabling area before the race may have been behind Auckland Reactor's reluctance to score up behind the mobile.

"He wasn't racing that kindly and that is one reason I drove him the way I did," said Purdon.

Purdon said he thought if he had moved to sit parked out Auckland Reactor could have over-raced and still been beaten after having a significantly harder run.

He also told stewards he expected Anthony Butt, driving Report For Duty, who was also parked out, to attack for the lead and "drag" him into the race at the 1200m mark, rather than concede to three-wide horses.

But Chairman of Stewards, Martin Knibbs, said those explanations did not gel with how Purdon had previously driven the champion.

Once found guilty of the charge, Purdon asked the stewards to consider a monetary penalty instead of a suspension, especially considering the importance of the Interdominions.

While Purdon rarely deviated from his normal calm demeanor during the 2-hour hearing, he was fuming after the decision.

"That would never happen in New Zealand," he said.

"The penalty is way too harsh, it is out of proportion with what happened out there."

Knibbs said the stewards "seriously considered" a fine which would allow Purdon to drive Auckland Reactor.

"But the usual penalty for this type of offence is six weeks' suspension and we decided that was the most appropriate course."

While Purdon seemed exhausted and disappointed by the hearing and said he was unlikely to appeal, he may he given no choice. Owners' representative John Curtin was adamant last night that the Auckland Reactor camp would appeal.

If that is done by 11.30am today and Purdon is granted a stay of proceedings he could still drive Auckland Reactor on Saturday night.

But with any appeal certain to be heard next week and Purdon facing a massive uphill battle to get the penalty reduced, let alone the decision reversed, he still has virtually no chance of driving in the final. Auckland Reactor remains firm favourite.

HEAVY PENALTY
* New Zealand reinsman Mark Purdon has been suspended for six weeks for his drive on Auckland Reactor last Saturday night.
* That means he has virtually no chance of partnering his champion pacer in the A$1 million Interdominion Final on March 28.
* Even if Purdon appeals the decision he would need a miracle to retain the final drive.
* His brother-in-law, Tony Herlihy, looks certain to drive Auckland Reactor for the remainder of the series.