They are not tied at the hip but jockey mates Peter Robl and Blake Shinn never seem far apart.

The two hoops, who spent 12 months out of the saddle through gambling offences, today quinellaed the Schweppes Handicap (1250m) at Canterbury .

Just a nose separated the pair with Robl getting the verdict aboard Arms Length  while Shinn, having his first day riding in Sydney since the suspension, just missed on Satisfies.

Shinn tracked Robl into the race and took rails runs before switching to the outside to launch  a challenge.

Shinn said a win would have have been better but Robl was too strong.

But who laughs first doesn’t necessarily laugh best.

Shinn was just warming up and later rode a winning double in consecutive races.

He scored comfortably on the John O’Shea trained Tigress Lily in the Flinders Lane Hcp (1900m)  and then on Mr Edison for Bart Cummings in the De Bortoli Wines Hcp (1550m).

“It’s great to get a win on the board on my first day back here,” Shinn said.

”I thought I had been riding pretty well so it’s a good feeling.

“John has been a good supporter right the way through.

“When I came back he said he’d give me opportunities.

I’ve got to try and make the most of them and give each ride the best possible chance.”

Shinn and Cummings combined to win the 2008 Melbourne Cup with Viewed.

Today Shinn brought home $16 chance Mr Edison for the master trainer.

The horse hadn’t won in ten start since October 2011.

James Cummings, stable foreman for his grandfather, wasn’t getting too carried away with the win after Shinn steered him through a gap and sprinted clear.

“With due respect to the opposition he was a fit horse against out of form milers,” he said.

“And it was a ten out of ten ride.”