Trainer David Hayes never lost faith in Extra Zero despite the gelding wearing the tag of being a non-winner.

The eight-year-old finally found his way to the winner's circle, claiming the Byron Moore Handicap at Flemington on Thursday in a photo that went his way.

It was Extra Zero's first win since taking out the Albury Gold Cup in March 2012 - 33 starts ago.

He had notched 13 placings since with seven of those coming at his past seven starts and Thursday's success was his fifth from 68 starts, taking his prizemoney to almost $1.2 million.

"He is a bit of a non-winner but he's a genuine non-winner," Hayes said.

"Sometimes you get non-winners that turn it up but he's been fighting really hard and just getting beat.

"He showed great fight to hang on and win today."

Hayes said Extra Zero was purchased by current owners from clients of the stable with the 2013 Darwin Cup in mind, but the race was called off following the death of jockey Simone Montgomerie.

He said the gelding's only poor runs had been after returning from Darwin when it took the gelding some time to get over the trip.