The 7yr-old finished third behind Locharburn and Tiger Tara in the vase, which tracks as great form for tomorrow’s $25,000 Hannon Memorial at Oamaru.
Franco Nelson found a gap up the markers, and chased down the two leaders to within three lengths by the time he reached the finishing post at Addington.
However, the injury-plagued pacer was actually past the two leaders 200m after the line, which both surprised and pleased driver and unofficial trainer John Dunn.
"He hadn’t done that for a long time," Dunn said.
"He normally hits the line and pulls up, so to speak, so it was best he’s hit the line for a long time.
"I got a wee check at the 400m and got held up badly — so the ground he made up on those quick sectionals was good too."
There is no Locharburn this week but Tiger Tara opened a deserved $1.70 favourite for Sunday’s race.
He and Franco Nelson ($4.80) should have the fitness and class edge on most of their rivals.
Grand Circuit performer Mossdale Conner ($7) and two-time Hannon Memorial winner Franco Ledger ($9.50) are sure to take plenty from tomorrow’s run.
Franco Nelson’s manners are generally great, giving Dunn the option of putting him into the race then taking cover.
"The key is to step quick again, and try and get in front a few of them from the get-go," he said.
A bone chip was removed from one of Franco Nelson’s fetlocks after the Easter Cup and he wonders if that might have made a difference.
"He’s a happy and sound horse now, so it might have been bothering him longer than we thought."
Dunn has been putting a steady diet of work into Franco Nelson to prepare him for this season, although he wasn’t sure what to expect last week.
"He’s had a long slow build-up, so he was definitely forward enough," he said.
"He trialled well in his first trial for us, then a week later we took him back again and he went very ordinary behind Locharburn.
"So we stepped the work back up to him and it worked the other night."
Cullect A Guinness finished fifth in the Vase, which was satisfactory enough for the Dunns.
"He’s the sort of horse who has got to be there at the right time in the right place and hopefully he gets a bit of money in one of these races."
The Dunns’ only other runner is smart trotter Jag’s Invasion, who is in a fresh state for the feature trot after just one workout.
"I had a minor setback with him so he missed a week. But he got home in a quite quick last half [at the workouts], so he’ll be forward enough.
"He’ll definitely need the run and, hopefully, he’ll come on from there."
Tips from the talent
Rory McIlwrick
• Arden’s Concord (Race 10, No 9)
Brad Williamson
• The Persuader (Race 6, No 12)
Nathan Williamson
• Costa Del Magnifico (Race 7, No 4)
Tony Barron
• Floating On Eyre (Race 2, No 3)
