Racing: Fast verdict on Butcher clears air

Finally a harness racing hearing which isn't going to drag on for months.

That is the upside of the Judicial Control Authority (JCA) decision finding driver Phillip Butcher guilty of the lesser of two charges relating to his drive behind Awesome Armbro in the controversial New Zealand Free-For-All last month.

Butcher was widely accused of team-driving after allowing Awesome Armbro to attack hot favourite Auckland Reactor in the group one Addington event.

But the JCA has found Butcher not guilty of the more serious charge against him, instead upholding a lesser charge of driving in a manner capable of affecting his horse's chances.

The penalty range for that charge tends to be around a two-week suspension and/or $500 fine, with pre-sentencing submissions to be made next week before the JCA announces the penalty.

And barring anything extreme there, both parties say they will not be appealing the decision.

"We are satisfied the charges have gone through the judicial process and we will move on," said HRNZ boss Edward Rennell.

Butcher says he is also unlikely to appeal the decision, but reserves the right to appeal the sentence if he feels it is too harsh.

While the decision will not please everybody, no appeals at least means harness racing won't get bogged down in another protracted legal battle as has become the norm for any cases involving Awesome Armbro's trainer Geoff Small.

Small's appeal against a six-month suspension for charges dating back to September is due next week but the Weekend Herald understands the judge involved may not be available so it would not be surprising to see that appeal deferred until the New Year.