After sitting out the first seven meetings of the season through a suspension incurred in Japan, it took Nash Rawiller two meetings to land his first success of the term, only to incur the ire of stewards and be given time again for his winning ride.
"I was a little disappointed - my last two winners I've been suspended on both of them," Rawiller said after a win on John Moore's promising type What You Dream. "It's nice to get my first winner and get the wheels in motion anyway."
While there was debate over the lengthy ban dished out by Japanese stewards when the Australian won the Group Three Niigata Kinen in early September, there was little doubt around the severity of the interference when What You Dream veered inwards just after turning.
Rawiller then faced the tricky situation of choosing when to serve the three-day careless riding ban at a critical juncture of the season - both here and in his homeland.
In the end, Rawiller prioritised maintaining momentum in his new base and riding on an important upcoming day at Sha Tin over possible spring carnival riches in his homeland.
Rawiller will begin his ban after the Group Two Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy on October 26, a race many of the international day contenders will contest.
The timing also allows the 39-year-old to reunite with Silent Achiever in the Cox Plate on the previous day, but he will miss any possible opportunities on Victoria Derby day and in the Melbourne Cup.
He was not the only jockey to incur the wrath of the stewards, with Douglas Whyte also suspended for three meetings for causing interference aboard Bullish Smart in the same race. He was suspended for the same dates as Rawiller.
Even though Rawiller has spent more time watching than competing at his new base, his work rate in the morning has been high and he is making the most of the lifestyle two meetings per week racing allows.
And the champion rider reiterated his desire to stay well beyond the completion of his contract in January. "I'm enjoying trackwork in the mornings, and I'm loving the time I get to spend with my family," he said.
Moore was absent yesterday, staying in Australia to watch his former sprinter Straight Gold - now in the care of his brother Gary - run second at Cranbourne, a day after his sprinter Not Listenin'tome ran poorly in a Group Two at Caulfield.
"I wasn't too disappointed with Not Listenin'tome, Damien Oliver said he made a mistake going back and he will be better at 1,200m," Moore said.
"I wasn't surprised at the win of What You Dream, even from the wide barrier. I spoke to Nash in the morning, we had a game plan and he carried it out perfectly.
"Stepping up from 1,400m to a mile was ideal for him second-up. Joao Moreira got off him last start and said he would win, and he was proven correct."
Rawiller added: "He is a handy horse, he got back a long way but still travelled very kindly. He just got a bit unbalanced off the turn, but he is the sort of horse that can keep improving throughout the season."
