Almost a year to the day separated Zac Purton's highs and lows as a jockey in Hong Kong - his King's Stand Stakes win on Little Bridge at Royal Ascot and a record-equalling HK$300,000 fine.
The fine on June 21 last year came after Purton was approached by a gambler previously jailed for a tips-for-bets arrangement with Chris Munce, himself imprisoned for a similar offence. Purton spurned the advances but stewards said he should have told them sooner - something still stings in the memory, as Purton committed no offence, but he did commit to leaving it behind.
Fast forward to June 19 this year, and Purton, 29, went from toasted in Hong Kong to the toast of Hong Kong, coolly landing Little Bridge's victory before Queen Elizabeth.
With no family background in horses, legend has it Purton fronted up to a racing seminar only because it got him a day off school, but it has been a lengthy and worthwhile truancy. And he has done it the hard way here, rarely used by John Size, John Moore, Tony Cruz and only a little more by Caspar Fownes - the top four trainers most years - and his connection with Dennis Yip Chor-hong is newly-forged.
'But I have had better support in general this year and that's been important for a reason that probably isn't obvious,' he reflected on the best of his five seasons. 'In the past, I tried to stay as light as possible to get more chances, but this season I've let myself ride a little heavier. I'm more comfortable physically, backing my judgment more and it has paid off.'
In 2007, his aspirations were only to see out a six-month contract and return to Australia with experience under his belt.