By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Progeny of sires with a service fee less than $7,000 will get their moment in the sun at Addington Raceway on Friday.
The Listed Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes ‘Harness 7000’ Mobile Pace (1980m) has attracted a field of nine, and trainer Rodger Austin is hoping he has a leading contender with Donmaro.
The three-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance has been in fine form this season, winning four of his seven starts and was runner-up at Addington Raceway earlier this month when resuming.
Austin, who also part-owns the gelding, said he has continued to mature and benefited from his brief freshen-up.
“He has been going super,” Austin said. “He didn’t have much luck last start. He keeps copping bad draws because of preferential barrier draws, but that is just the way it is.
“It would be nice to get a half decent run anyway.
“He seems to be improving all the time. His manners seem to be getting a lot better, He is good behind the gate now. We have looked after him.”
TAB bookmakers have installed Donmaro a $2.70 second favourite behind seven-win filly Aardie’s Express.
“Hopefully he has got a good chance, a couple on there are quite good, he will just need a bit of luck in the running,” Austin said.
“Aardie’s Express will be the one to beat but she is in the same boat as us with the bad draw (9).”
Austin is full of praise for the race’s concept, which is now in its eighth year.
“It is quite a good idea because it gives the other stallions a bit of a chance, the ones that are not up in the top echelon with the Bettor’s Delights and Art Majors,” Austin said.
“It is good for the stallions and good for the breeders. It gives everyone a chance and spreads the money around a wee bit.”
Austin has big hopes for Donmaro this spring, but he said he is keeping his expectations in-check for the time being.
“We will just take one race at a time with him, but I would like to think that he would be good enough to take on the three-year-olds for the rest of the season,” he said.
“But we will just see how he goes, but we are looking forward to having a go.”
