The enigma that is Photon Willie once again threw up more questions than answers despite adding to his winning record at Rosehill on Saturday.
The four-year-old claimed his third career win in the Merrylands RSL Club Handicap (1500m) despite doing his best to throw the race away in the final few metres.
His jockey Glyn Schofield admitted to being caught by surprise when the horse shifted in despite being alert to the fact anything could happen.
"I had the whip in the left hand because when Nash (Rawiller) rode him he went the other way," Schofield said.
"I could feel I got there too soon and I was waiting for something to happen but he caught me by surprise.
"He is a bag of tricks."
Trainer Chris Waller said blinkers might be the next step in the education of Photon Willie who has been the subject of much attention from chief steward Ray Murrihy.
"I think I'm training him with Ray Murrihy at the moment so we'll see what he's got to say," Waller said.
"I think blinkers might be the next step and maybe we'll bring him back a bit in distance.
"He's a colt and he has a few tricks."
For his part, Murrihy described Photon Willie as a "headache".
Photon Willie ($4.80) beat Micalong ($101) by a half neck with Magic In The Mix ($6.50) another three-quarters of a length third.
Red Excitement (4th) and Burbero (6th) were both inconvenienced by Photon Willie's inward shift.