I reckon M P was lucky to be cited only once for this infringement over the carnival. As for the option of not causing interference, the no sprint lane defence, worth a try but not sure if the A Piccadilly Princess race helped with that defence. Ms Scott seemed to be ok with it, obviously M P wasn't ok with Ms Scott.
RACE 7 – RETRAVISION GOLDEN NUGGET (GROUP 1). 2536MS
ULTIMATE MACHETE – An inquiry was opened into the reasons for VAMPIRO racing three wide on the first turn. The evidence disclosed that after being beaten for early speed, M. Purdon on ULTIMATE MACHETE shifted off the marker pegs off the back of MACZAFFAIR to a two wide position while VAMPIRO was racing to his outside and as a result of M. Purdon’s movement up the track, VAMPIRO has been carried up to a three wide position, forced to cover more ground than necessary, and tightened onto IM ROCKARIA. M. Purdon pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(b) for forcing another horse to cover more ground than necessary. In determining penalty stewards took into account M. Purdon’s guilty plea, his good record and the RWWA Group Racing Penalty Policy that stipulates any driving offence in a Group race will attract higher penalties. M. Purdon had his licence to drive in races suspended for 26 days.
M. Purdon suspended for 26 days under Rule 163(1)(b). M. Purdon was found guilty of a charge under Rule 231(2) of misconduct for comments made to stewards at the conclusion of the inquiry in which he received a 26 day suspension. In determining penalty stewards took into account M. Purdon’s subsequent apology and his good record. M. Purdon was fined $1000 with $500 to be suspended for a period of two years on the condition he not offend under this or a similar rule in that period.
A post race veterinary examination of ULTIMATE MACHETE revealed the colt to be lame in the offside foreleg. ULTIMATE MACHETE has been stood down from racing until a veterinary certificate of soundness is received.
edit: Just scrolled through the stewards reports from the heats. M P reprimanded for this infringement first night of the carnival on the same horse.
Lenny seemingly racing erratically when he was outside Lazarus? Sometimes it pays to watch a race muted, not be influenced by race callers. For a moment I thought M P may have had thoughts about coming out late but I think C Alford saw the gap behind Laz and restrained for a look in.
A big C Lewis fan, the Darren Gauci of harness racing, stemming from an underage betting win on Carclew (btw Trevor, did the very good mare Verona beat Carclew at the showgrounds in a stand around that period? Was part of my very juvenile reasoning, if he could run second to Verona he'd jump to the front and win the I D )
Pretty sure C Alford gave a couple of subtle head shakes a couple of times when C Lewis took off, C A was only interested in handing up to Laz or Tribeca? I couldn't have it C Lewis miscued.
Definitely not into potting drivers, no grandstand driver here, moreso I enjoy analysing races, looking at the little things but have to fess up, I did have Have Faith In Me in a First4 I think he'll do wonderful things in the US.