The 33-year-old Singaporean rider, who first began working in the racing industry with ex-Kranji trainer Bruce Marsh in 2007, received his apprentice jockey's licence in July last year.
He placed once from 23 rides when under the tutelage of trainer Jason Ong last year but welcomed his first win this year on his 32nd ride, not long after he transferred his indentureship to trainer Ricardo Le Grange on December 8 last year.
Rozlan was so close to winning at the season opener last Saturday but Pennywise lost by a head to Darc Bounty in the Class 3 race over 1000m, while Rocketship finished third to Faithful Leader in the Class 4 race (1000m) last race.
This time, Rozlan followed instruction to the tee on Great Command , so he was confident that the "straightforward" ride could bring up his first win.
"I'm very excited and I can't believe I won the race," said Rozlan, who stays in Yishun but none in his family is involved in racing.
"Ricardo told me it's a straightforward ride and to jump and go forward. If anyone wants to lead, then we take a sit, but no one came to disturb him.
"I was nervous when I was walking towards the parade ring before the race, but I know I have a four-kilo claim on the horse (55kgs) and he has a good gate (no.2).
"When I asked the horse for it at the 600m, he's got plenty more and he didn't stop at all.
"Last week, I thought Rocketship could win for me, but I was much more surprised by Pennywise. He came back in trip (from a mile to 1000m), but he flew home under the fast pace."
The baby-faced rider loved animals and decided to join the Singapore Training Academy for Racing (STAR) programme 16 years ago as a syce and track rider. It was then when he met his old boss Marsh, whom he felt greatly indebted to.
"Besides Ricardo, I want to thank my previous master trainer Jason for all that he has taught me, but the one who influenced me a lot was Bruce Marsh," said Rozlan.
"I dropped out after Secondary 3 from Guangyang Secondary (school). I was young and playful, and I didn't know what I wanted to do.
"One day, I was at the coffee shop when I overheard some uncles talk about horse racing. I'm small-sized, and one of them joked to me, 'why not you become a jockey?'
"I looked up online and in the (news)papers, and I saw the STAR Programme advertisement. I joined Bruce in 2007 and worked as a syce, a track rider and then became his stable supervisor in (August) 2017.
"He was the one who shaped me into who I am today. He taught me about discipline at work, and how to care and love for horses.
"For me, it is not about the earnings a jockey can make. I love riding horses, partly for the adrenaline rush, but more for the love for these big animals.
"I was a 'C' grade apprentice jockey when I was with him (Marsh), but we don't ride in races yet. After he left Kranji in 2019, I followed Jason (who took over Marsh's stable) and got my apprentice jockey's licence (in July) last year."
Rozlan joined Le Grange after his former apprentice jockey Krisna Thangamani became a senior jockey this year. The South African conditioner is known to be a strict mentor, but he certainly gave credit when credit is due.
"I'm 'old school', and that was how I was brought up," said Le Grange.
"We worked every day back when I was a stable supervisor and assistant-trainer to (ex-Kranji trainer) Pat (Shaw) in South Africa. There were no holidays.
"That's why I told the young apprentices that come into my yard that it's a regiment here, but they will get their chances to ride.
"This kid (Rozlan) has been with me for only about a month, but he's a very nice guy.
"He's very kind to horses and a great worker. I thought he needed an opportunity to kick off and he rode him well. Let's just hope he gets confidence and builds up from here.
"He's (Great Command) a strong horse. All my horses were pretty much off during a six-week break, so I was not scared to back them up and to take four kilos off his back was even better.
"This horse was gelded after his race in October (2nd) last year and he was much more tractable after that.
"We'll find a Class 4 race for him next. He ran second on the turf (in an Open Maiden race over 1400m on November 26) before, so he's versatile and that opens up our options for him."
Jumping straight on the bunny, Great Command ($10) had Lim's Betterready (A'Isisuhairi Kasim) on the inside and Pure Perfection (Ronnie Stewart) in close pursuit as he led the pack into the straight.
Lim's Betterready looked to poke his head in front for a moment upon turning, but Rozlan kept the momentum going on the four-year-old son of Air Force Blue and put himself one length ahead at the 150m.
Backing up from his last-start second one week ago, Great Command eventually lengthened up to a two-length win from Lim's Betterready. Pure Perfection settled for third another two-and-three-quarters length away.
The winning time was 1min 12.33secs for the six furlongs on the Polytrack track.
With that first win from eight starts in Singapore, Great Command has earned close to $20,000 in prizemoney for his Filipino owner Paolo Mendoza, on top of the A$16,200 he took home from two seconds and one third from seven starts in Australia previously.
