Duck, Brett Woodhouse, Brian Smith and James McPherson are all ineligible to drive in the Regional Championships final at Riverina Paceway on Friday as they do not hold A grade licences.

The 21-year-old drove in his 200^th race on Friday but his record was the deciding factor in having his application to upgrade his licence denied on Monday.

It is a big blow for the Junee reinsman.

"It's very disappointing as I'll probably never get in one again," Duck said. "You never know but what can you do?

"I think I had one too many suspensions so they are not going to put it through.

"It was going to be great to be in the race."

It means father Saul Duck will need to find a replacement driver for Mister Donald in his first group one race.

Mister Donald led all the way to take out the eighth heat of the series on Friday after a third in the first week.

There is a silver lining for Duck who will drive Rockita in the major consolation after her fast-finishing second on Friday.

"One positive is I still get to drive my mare in the consolation, but it is not the same," he said.

Duck is pleased with how both horses have come through the series and now he's just looking to secure good barriers when the draw is completed on Tuesday.

"They have both pulled up really good," Duck said.

"It didn't hurt them at all and they've both ate up and should be right to go."

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Mister Donald finished 17.5 metres behind Western Sonador in the first round of heats.

Duck believes the draw will be crucial to going close to turning the tables.

"He will need a very good draw," he said. "Hopefully we can track along there and be thereabouts but it is going to be very hard."

Rodney Coelli is considered the leading option with a A grade driver needed to be based in the Riverina to fulfill the group one conditions of the race and the current coronavirus restrictions.

Bruce Harpley has picked up the drive on Woodhouse's We Salute You while Stephen Maguire will drive Streamliner for Brian Smith.

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