Les Kosklin will be looking for a touch more luck in this Saturday night's 40th Annual Inter City Pace Final (2400m) at Maitland, where he'll be represented by one of the favourites, Magical Mike.
The boat Harbour trainer has only had one runner in the prestigious final, when Yap yap Yoee finished third "a few years agp" after throwing her chances away in the home straight.
" I can't quite remember how long ago it was, but it wasn't too long ago," he said.
" What I do remember from the race is that Yap Yap Yoee was a big chance rounding the home turn but then she put in a few rough strides. By the time she got going again it was to late. The margins were a head by a head.
" It was disappointing at the time but now I'm looking forward to Saturday night's race."
The barrier draw has fallen in Magical Mike's favour according to Kosklin, despite starting from gate 10 on the back line.
" It's worked out well," he said.
" Barcode has drawn a little awkwardly and I see him as one of our main dangers. He was very impressive in his heat win last week."
" I was delighted with Magical Mike's heat win because it was his biggest test to date. He sat in the 'death' and simply outstayed his rivals.
" I'm very confident going into the race, but I'm also wary of Barcode."