Jason Holder could not hide his delight in partnering Rapid Raiser to victory at Gawler on Wednesday.
July proved a lean month for the leading hoop, who finished the 2019-20 season stranded on 99 winners across South Australia.
And he started the new season in similar fashion, finishing second on four occasions at Morphettville last weekend.
“It’s been a while,” Holder told Racing.com.
“I’ve ridden a few seconds. I’ve been in a bit of rabbit hole. But I got out it, that’s why I love racing.”
The Jake Stephens-trained Rapid Raiser was a pick-up ride for Holder who finished the day with a double when Carlaluisa returned to winning form.
Rapid Raiser has proven a durable customer, winning his fourth race from 15 sparingly spaced starts since resuming back in November.
“He’s not the soundest of horses, but he never leaves any food behind,” Stephens said.
“He can mix his form, (but) he’s a nice horse to train at home – he’s a pleasure.”
Holder heads to Murray Bridge on Saturday with a strong book of rides, led by Another Award for the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas stable.
Another Award will be hoping to upstage boom filly Just Zerene who is second-up after she was placed in the Listed Lightning Stakes behind Parlophone at Morphettville last month.
