After guiding Lazarus to victory in the Interdominon final, Purdon was forced to face an inquiry into his winning drive on Ultimate Machete in the next race, the group 1 Golden Nuggets final.
The trainer-driver was fined $1000, with $500 suspended, for comments he made to stewards following the inquiry into his winning drive.
After being beaten for early speed, Purdon pushed Ultimate Machete off the markers which meant race rival Vampiro was forced to race wider on the track.
Purdon pleaded guilty to a charge of forcing another horse to cover more ground than necessary. After being handed a 26-day penalty Purdon made comments to the stewards that resulted in him being fined.
Purdon indicated on the stable's website he would appeal the suspension.
``No other horse was affected and there is no passing lane there so you have got to take your chances,'' he said.
``I thought it was a smart move at the time, but even though another horse is not checked, there is a regulation to cover it.''
As it stands, the suspension, which lasts until January 6, will mean Purdon will miss Auckland feature race drives including the Auckland Cup on December 31.
Regardless of whether his appeal is successful, Purdon will be back to drive Lazarus in his next two races. The 5yr-old has the $A300,000 ($NZ326,000) Fremantle Pacing Cup on January 12 and the $A450,000 Western Australian Pacing Cup on January 19 on his agenda.
The buzz from watching the champion he co-bred has not faded for Dunedin's Gavin Chin.
Despite his long list of big race wins, Lazarus' remarkable success is not something Chin is taking for granted.
``You never lose the buzz; winning any race is still a big achievement.
``The first New Zealand Cup win was unreal, the second one was special, but the Interdominon was just something else.''
Chin bred the horse with Brian West, of Christchurch.
