Painting is set to make history and become the first Riverina reinsman to achieve 100 winners in a season but was yesterday left one short of the magical milestone.

A winning double at Echuca on Thursday followed by an early victory on the card at Wagga yesterday pushed Painting to 99 with three plum drives in the afternoon remaining.

However Painting endured a tough finish to the day and was beaten on three $1.40, $3.00 and $3.10 favourites to finish on 99.

He has until Wednesday night to drive the one remaining winner.

Painting said the afternoon was a little frustrating due to a couple of different reasons.

“Yes and no,” Painting answered when asked if it was a frustrating finish to the day.

“I thought I might get it with Khanbelucky. I thought he was going to be hard to beat but it doesn’t always work out that way.”

Painting will now wait until Monday night at Canberra where he has drives on Real Expectation, Kapala Royale and Tough Denem.

Two of the three loom as great winning chances. If he is unable to break through at Canberra, he may have a drive on Jane Cullen at Menangle on Tuesday before the season finishes on Wednesday night. Painting is not fazed if he does not get to 100.

“I’m rapt with 99,” Painting said. “It would be good to get 100 but I’m happy with what I’ve achieved already.”

Co-worker at Kennedy’s stable and good mate Blake Jones may prove Painting’s undoing in his attempt to get to 100. Jones nabbed Painting twice yesterday in something that is beginning to be a regular occurrence.

“He’s got me four times at the last two meetings at Young and Wagga,” Painting laughed.

“I’ve got to stop giving him the good drives.”

Painting’s one winner at Wagga yesterday, Partylikearockstar, was for trainer, boss and uncle David Kennedy.

Kennedy has already landed 100 winners as a trainer this season.

Khanbelucky was set to be win number 100 for Painting but had little hope after it was attacked early in the race by Mal Diebert on Ohokas Roman.