Robl Reins In First Win Since Return

Jockey Peter Robl didn’t have to wait long to experience the winning feeling, posting victory in just his third race since returning from a 12 month ban.

Robl won aboard the Gratz Valla-trained Dragon Dance in Canberra in a 2,000 metre Benchmark 68 Handicap yesterday.

The jockey was suspended from riding for a year after it was discovered he had placed a bet on one of his races using his wife’s account.

“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.”

The jockey said he did consider abandoning his career as a jockey during his lengthy 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,” Robl 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”.

Robl said that returning to riding was not difficult for him, as he had remained in shape during his 12 months away from the industry.

“I didn’t have much trouble to be honest because I remained quite active during my ban,” he said.

“It wasn’t like I was recovering from an injury or anything like that.”

Robl will continue his comeback campaign at Canterbury Park this Wednesday, where he will ride in seven of the eight races.

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