BENDIGO trainer Shaun Dwyer had a mixed day in Melbourne on Wednesday.
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Dwyer trained a winner at Caulfield when the promising Da Paolino broke its maiden status in the KS Environmental Maiden Plate (1440m).
At the same time Dwyer was being fined $1000 following a positive swab returned by his gelding Anudjawun at Caulfield in October.
The eight-year-old tested positive to the prohibited substance ibuprofen in a pre-race urine sample.
Dwyer pleaded guilty to a charge of bringing a horse to the races with a prohibited substance in its system at a Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board hearing.
Anudjawun was disqualified from his ninth placing in the BMW Handicap (2400m).
The victory of Da Paolino would have given Dwyer plenty to smile about.
The three-year-old gelding won by the best part of three lengths and impressed leading jockey Michael Rodd.
"This horse goes really good,'' Rodd said.
"I rode him (at his first start) at Moonee Valley three weeks ago and nothing went right.
"He missed the kick, settled back, got held up and then flew home at the finish.
"From the good barrier he had such a nice run today. I was cantering coming around the turn, so I decided to let him go.
"When he got to the front he didn't know what to do... he's still green, but he's got plenty of class."
Da Paolino, which is a son of Henrythenavigator, is owned by Brisbane businessmen Mike Buys and Rob Willis, who also race smart sprinter Villa Verde with Dwyer.