Brett Prebble strolled into the obligatory post-race press conference, was asked to take a seat up the front and promptly planted himself in a chair at the pointy end assembled for the waiting media.
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He was politely reminded that his seat was not at the front. But behind the microphone facing the television cameras and notepads ready to record every word of the most famous man in Australia for a few hours yesterday.
"I haven't been here before," the Hong Kong-based jockey joked when told of his error.
That's the funny part. He so easily should have been.
First there was Brew in 2000 - a ride he was sought for and knocked back.
Then there was Efficient, Lloyd Williams's grey with a cult following who won the Cup in 2007.
Shocking (2009) was another who bypassed the now 35-year-old. Shocking went on to complete the Lexus Stakes-Melbourne Cup double.
Then there was last year's combatants in the closest Melbourne Cup finish ever, Dunaden and Red Cadeaux, who at various stages Prebble could have committed to.
"There's a few days when I've kicked the cat and could have won the Cup," Prebble said. "Racing's like that - you can't always make the right decision. Sometimes you try too hard.
"You pick a ride four weeks out, six weeks out, eight weeks out and they don't make it and you've knocked a lot of others along the way. It's difficult because so much has to go right and you appreciate it when you have one like I've had now."
The patience game did finally pay off for Prebble, now entrenched in the Hong Kong racing scene.
A self-confessed "ratbag" and "arrogant" when a teenager with precocious riding talent, Prebble has mended his boyish ways.
The reason?
"Probably having a good wife and having kids," Prebble said. "In racing or Hong Kong itself you have to be a complete package.
"Riding nowadays is probably about 50 per cent of it. Look at Craig Williams, he's the compete package.
"I think Hong Kong has made me grow, appreciate life and appreciate what you get and the people who help you get that."
Maybe Prebble of 10 years ago wouldn't have been mature enough to be the toast of Australian racing, like he was yesterday.
He patiently waited for the right ride to come along in this year's race.
And then was willing to give his choice a second chance. A bit like his younger days.
"My old manager Des O'Keeffe used to say, 'for every ride I get you there will be 100 people who don't want you'," Prebble said.
"I was young and I was probably arrogant and came across abruptly sometimes."
As for Green Moon, disappointing as Cox Plate favourite when posted out on a limb for the entire trip?
Prebble said: "He [Williams] spoke to me probably three days before the Cox Plate and he said, 'I've got two runners [Green Moon and Midas Touch] Cox Plate day, keep an eye on them. If you want to ride one of them, pick which one you like'.
"On face value they both performed badly, but I thought Green Moon was a forgive run. I texted him straight after the race and said, 'boss, it's a forgive run, what do you think'."
It certainly was. Green Moon is forgiven and now so is Prebble.
He can take his place where he belongs - as a Melbourne Cup winner.