New Zealand reinsman Mark Purdon will miss the drive on his top pacer Auckland Reactor in the Interdominion final after being suspended for six weeks by Harness Racing Queensland (HRQ) stewards

today.

Stewards found Purdon guilty after they resumed a hearing into his drive on Auckland Reactor at the Gold Coast last Saturday, when he ran second in his opening heat as a $1.10 favourite.

Chairman of stewards Martin Knibbs said Purdon was charged under rule 149.1, which states : "a driver shall take all reasonable and permissible measures. . . to ensure that the horse is given full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing in the field".

It means Purdon will be sidelined until April 30, and will miss the drive in Auckland Reactor's next heat on Saturday and the $A1 million final on March 28.

Purdon wasn't immediately available for comment, but fellow New Zealand reinsman Tony Herlihy is reportedly the favourite to take over. It wasn't known whether Purdon would appeal.

Knibbs said stewards were concerned with two aspects of Purdon's drive, after he was held up for a run on Auckland Reactor then flew home to run second to Karloo Mick.

Purdon established a position in the running line at the 1200m behind the Anthony Butt-driven Report For Duty, but failed to shift out and improve when he had the opportunity.

It resulted in Auckland Reactor being pocketed until about the 900m mark.

Then, Auckland Reactor was stuck behind unfancied Kiwi pacer Zenad in the three-wide line and Purdon didn't shift out four-wide to improve until about the 500m mark.

"It was a very difficult decision, but when you're driving an odds-on favourite, people are entitled to see that drivers are 100 per cent on their game," Knibbs said.

"It's unacceptable in a high-profile series such as this."

Purdon admitted at the initial hearing on Saturday he'd made an error of judgment, but thought Butt was going to continue forward to press for the lead at the 1200m.

Stewards also watched videos of Auckland Reactor's previous wins in New Zealand in reaching their verdict.

It was just a second defeat from 22 starts for the star Purdon-trained, North American-owned pacer, whose estimated value is $10 million.

Herlihy is available to drive Auckland Reactor on Saturday because the pacer he trains and drives, Gotta Go Cullen, was drawn in another heat.

Still, the controversy hasn't deterred punters.

Auckland Reactor was today a $1.20 favourite with Australia's TAB Sportsbet to win his next heat (2100m) on Saturday (midnight NZT), when he starts from barrier two on the second row.

His toughest competition is expected to come from local I Am Sam ($5.50) who won on opening night and drew directly outside Auckland Reactor in barrier 10.

Auckland Reactor remained favourite to win the final at $2.20, ahead of star Queenslander Blacks A Fake at $2.90.

Two New Zealand-trained runners were next in the market, Mr Feelgood at $7.50 and Changeover at $8.

(NZPA)