But what has not happened is a win.
That is until yesterday’s Hannon Memorial at Oamaru.
The Christian Cullen entire took the passing lane to get past a brave Tiger Tara, ending a winning drought which extended back to the Harness Jewels at Cambridge in May 2014.
His driver, John Dunn, can take much of the credit for yesterday’s win, sneaking into the trail behind Tiger Tara with two laps to go, giving him the last crack at the race favourite.
"It was a big help especially since we dawdled along and sprinted those last sectionals," Dunn said.
"With that last half, it was crucial to be on the fence and follow a good one."
Tiger Tara had set the race up for a sprint home, and forced the field to chase him down at better than 54sec for the last 800m.
Franco Nelson was poised to strike, but getting alongside Tiger Tara is one thing — getting past him is another.
"Tiger Tara is a very hard horse to get past and we managed to do that," Dunn said.
"I thought I was going to do it a lot easier in the end than I did, but that’s Tiger Tara to a T — he fights to the line. I’m just rapt to get the win."
Dunn was thrilled with the 7yr-old’s effort in the Maurice Holmes Vase earlier this month, and yesterday was another step up as he eyes up the second Tuesday in November.
"It’s just getting him back to near his best again.
"The horse has always shown a lot of ability so at least you’ve got something to work with. But it’s good to get him happy, healthy and sound which is a big key to him."
The win should push Franco Nelson further up the New Zealand Cup rankings, making his spot in the cup pretty much assured, but Dunn is keen to keep the pacer up to the mark with a steady diet of racing.
"He’s in good nick, so he’ll benefit from more racing."
In victory there is joy, but by contrast it was a tough day for the connections of Franco Ledger.
The 9yr-old, who won the 2012 and 2013 editions of the Hannon, faltered and broke at the 800m, and X-rays today will confirm the severity of a suspected broken pedal bone.
