KEY POINTS:
Palmerston North trainer-driver Stephen Doody got the news he wanted today - just not how he wanted it.
Doody had been disappointed his stable star, Braig, was balloted out of the $150,000 Dominion Handicap at Addington on Friday night but was last night pleased to find the horse had gained a place in the field.
But he said it was a shame Braig only made it back into the group one handicap for trotters because favourite Stig was scratched.
"You never wish that on any horse or trainer," Doody said.
"But it has happened to us all before and I am happy to have Braig back into the field, even though I feel for Paul (Nairn, Stig's trainer)."
Before heading to Addington, Doody has a busy night lined up on his home track at for the second day of the Manawatu harness meeting tonight.
He started nine horses from his stable on the first day of the meeting on Tuesday and seven earned prizemoney, a figure he thinks he can better tonight.
"The team is going well and I think Musashi [race five] might be the best of them, " Doody said.
"He lugged in a little bit in the straight on Tuesday but his run was good and he has improved a lot."
Doody also rates Bloss's Flame (race three) and Dux (race four) as winning chances.
"I was very happy with how Bloss's Flame hit the line on Tuesday and this field looks a bit weaker. I think she won't be a maiden for long."
Dux won his last start on this track and was allowed to miss yesterday's meeting as tomorrow night's stake is higher.
"I want to keep him for better stakes races because long term I'd like to think I can qualify him for the Harness Jewels.
"He is ready for this week but he will need to be as they trotted a two minutes five seconds mile-rate in this grade on Tuesday."
The night's feature, race nine, sees most of those who clashed on Tuesday back to do battle again - but this time over 2000m instead of 2500m.
That will make it a lot harder for first day winner Stoney Creek as he has drawn the second line and could struggle to reach his favoured pacemaking role.
