Group One winning jockey Peter Robl rode his first winner yesterday at Canberra since completing a 12-month disqualification incurred for involvement in illegal betting activities.
Photo by Bronwen Healy
It took Robl just three races into his comeback to ride his first winner in a Benchmark 68 Handicap over 2000m.
Robl rode the top weighted Dragon Dance trained by Gratz Vella. He rated him strongly throughout the race sitting just off the speed before running home well in the straight to win by a head.
Robl said that he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received from people throughout his ban and since returning to track work two months ago.
“I'm over the moon with how things are going," Robl said.
"This industry has plenty of people who don't mind giving you a second chance. Whether it is for taking drugs, or whatever, people realise that we're human too and make mistakes like everyone else.
“Everyone has something they regret in their lives and obviously what happened a year ago is something that I will always regret, but it's done now, it's in the past and I have to concentrate on the future."
Robl was given a 12-month disqualification after being found guilty of placing bets on races via his wife's online betting account and subsequently giving misleading evidence to stewards.
Robl admitted that the thought of leaving the sport entered his mind several times throughout the ban.
“There were low points over the last 12-months where it would enter your mind and you would contemplate it, but it was never something I seriously thought about,” he said.
“When you have been involved with something for so long and are passionate about it is hard just to leave it behind and do something different”.
Despite having limited time on the saddle since his return, Robl said he has not struggled to keep his weight down.
“I didn't have much trouble to be honest because I remained quite active during my ban. It wasn't like I was recovering from an injury or anything like that”.
Robl made his comeback ride aboard Diamond Start in the opening race at Canterbury Park on Saturday where he finished second behind the $1.60 favourite Don't Blink by one-length.
Robl's next ride was in the Canberra meeting and also delivered a second-place finishing a short-neck off the winner.
Robl has been engaged to ride in seven of the eight races at Canterbury Park on Wednesday.
