IT was a case of close but not close enough for Symon Wilde on the first two days of the May Racing Carnival.
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The Warrnambool trainer broke his drought on the final day, winning with Hecta in a 1200-metre two-year-old handicap on Thursday.
“The horses have all been running well. Up until today they’d been running in the first three but just couldn’t get across,” Wilde said of his carnival.
Wilde won the corresponding race 12 months ago with Rata Tat Tat.
“He is a lovely horse. Same ownership that had Rata Tat Tat last year so they’ve got another nice two-year-old,” he said.
Hecta finished a third of a length in front of the Darren Weir-trained Savaheat.
Main Stage, out of the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable, ran third.
Wilde said a wet track suited Hecta.
Winning jockey Craig Williams was wide early but chose to follow the rail home to the finish line.
"I walked the track this morning and we talked about how this track plays as the carnival goes on," he said.
"It was his first run, he travelled really well in the (heavy) ground.
“He hung in in a barrier trial and I thought the rail was the place to be for him, it was beneficial.
"He was real good, a solid run and he's got a good future.
“He will get further."
Williams said that his wife bought two kittens on Wednesday and joked the win on Hecta fortunately meant he would be able to pay for the new additions to the family.