Peter Robl has been suspended for six meetings for careless riding at Canterbury on Wednesday but his explanation has provided an intriguing insight into the fine line jockeys navigate between safety and punter expectation.
Riding the heavily-backed favourite Pera Pera, who was crunched in from $1.50 to start $1.28, Robl fell foul of stewards for his attempt to shoulder into clear running rounding the home turn in the Australian Turf Club Handicap.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding but said he feared the wrath of punters if he didn't try to manoeuvre off the fence.
"You say the price of a horse doesn't come into it but it does," Robl told stewards.
"I've got to be seen to be making an effort."
Robl was concerned his horse would be pocketed if he didn't take the opportunity to push his way clear approaching the 400 metres.
Pera Pera barged out after making heavy contact with Tim Clark's mount Eager but couldn't reel in leader Coolring and finished second.
Presiding steward Greg Rudolph reminded Robl safety must come first.
"Your duty of care extends to your fellow riders, yourself and your horse as well," Rudolph said.
"You just can't come out and barge out like that."
Robl will start his penalty after Wednesday's Randwick meeting and can return on January 31.
Meanwhile, More Than Brave will be given the chance to progress through to stakes grade following her against-the-odds victory at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The heavily supported favourite struggled to muster speed out of the gates and was a clear last early but she motored home down the outside for an impressive win in the Instagram@atc_races Handicap (1250m).
"She is a very progressive filly and it was a good effort," winning trainer John O'Shea said.
"Hopefully we can get her into a nice black type race for fillies and mares when she's a bit fitter."