Nathan Berry's latest suspension cost him at least four winners but in the long run it could be a blessing in disguise.

The jockey used his time out wisely, venturing to Euroa in Victoria to ride work for David Hayes to try to consolidate opportunities with the trainer who routinely sends horses to Sydney.

It was the second time in a month Berry had visited Hayes' purpose-built property to ride work.

Berry won on Rose Pattern for Hayes before his suspension and has the ride on two-year-old Gracious Prospect for the trainer in Saturday's Blackwoods Alemlube Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill.

He also believes he's a great chance of taking out the main race on Saturday, the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m), on the Steve Englebrecht-trained Malavio.

"It was definitely worth the trip down there (to Lindsay Park) for three days and I won't be waiting until I get suspended again to go back down," Berry said.

"David has been very supportive and I think he was actually quite surprised I chose that option to go down when I was suspended.

"I think he knows I'm keen and want to work hard for the rides that he gives me."

After his short stint at Hayes' property, Berry returned to Sydney to partner Malavio in a barrier trial last Thursday.

"I'm very happy with his progress and I think the two weeks off he had after the Hawkesbury Cup did him the world of good," Berry said.

Malavio was ridden forward from a wide gate when fourth in the Hawkesbury Cup but Berry said the plan was to be midfield or a little better and with cover in the capacity Festival field.

"If Malavio gets the right run I'm very confident about his chances," he said.

"Pretty much everything in that race is going to go on to the Villiers next start so it's also going to give us a good guide heading towards that race."

Berry has had several careless riding bans in the past 12 months and says being on the sidelines "hurts everything".

"Financially it obviously hurts a lot and momentum-wise it hurts as well. I missed out on four winners since I started the suspension," he said.

Gracious Prospect was third in the Magic Millions race at Ballarat in his second start, a race which was run in the Sydney direction.

"David's team is firing and this horse has got race experience plus blinkers on for the first time so I think he'll run well," Berry said.