He left to to his last chance, but Paul Kahlefeldt did just enough to take out the Wagga trainers' premiership on Friday.
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Just 10 points separated the top five hopefuls coming into the final meeting at Riverina Paceway, but Kahlefeldt was able to rein in leader Trevor White all while sustaining a late charge from Ellen Bartley.
The Wagga trainer was four points adrift of White coming into the meeting, and four ahead of Bartley, but scored points in three races to finish two clear of the pair.
He was pleased to add another title to his resume.
"It didn't look likely for a while there but it all came down to that last race," Kahlefeldt said. "We thought we would maybe run a place, we didn't expect to win.
"It came down to the wire."
Seattle Trace backed up her second placing on Tuesday night, which secured her Wagga Horse of the Year honours, with more success in the R H Blake & Co Ladyship Pace (1740m).
It was just enough to clinch the trainer's premiership after earlier placings with The Maniac and Twentyeightblack.
Kahlefeldt almost put the mare in the paddock, before deciding to give her until the end of the season.
He's very glad he did.
"We were going to put her out for a break as she seemed to have gone a bit stale but decided to hang into the end of the season and she's turned around again," Kahlefeldt said.
"She is racing better now than she ever has, especially running that sort of time (1:54.7)."
It was her fifth win of the season, all coming at Wagga, since being purchased by Kahlefeldt in October.
Kahlefeldt is no stranger to premiership success, but it has been a long time between drinks.
A decline in numbers meant he hasn't been as competitive in the second half of the decade but he credited son Jared for really pushing the team forward.
"Jared has been driving a little bit over 12 months now and is just getting better with every drive," Kahlefeldt said.
"We might have sacrificed a little bit when he was learning but now it's all helping.
"He's driving good, knows the horses and does all the work at home.
"It's a real benefit."
Meanwhile Bruce Harpley went back in front in the Southwest and Riverina trainers' premiership with Harps successful in a Menangle Country Series heat.
He leads Bartley by one win with meetings at Leeton and Young next week to round out the season.
Blake Jones claimed a third successive Wagga drivers premiership and also has a massive lead in the Riverina premiership.
Meanwhile an extra $1000 is heading to Table Top trainer Brooke McPherson after Rusty Crackers' victory after being drawn as the jackpot horse for the meeting.
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