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By Tony Megahey

While Kris Lees typically provides in-form favourites, celebrated local trainer Tony Ball invariably offers value for Taree’s TAB meeting on Tuesday.

The former decade long Godolphin foreman and regular TAB Highway competitor, represented in most of the seven races, has never been fazed by heavyweight stables numbering up on his home turf.

“Never worried me, take ‘em on - they’ve got slow ones too, ” Ball quipped.

“I’ve got cheeky chances in their right races, we’ve got a cutaway rail for the first time here, so interesting day.”

Tony Ball [pictured left] was keen to focus on lightly raced gallopers he considers have far more ability than their form reveals.

More Than Xtra ($6 on TAB) contests a third race maiden for respected Jeff Penza and Red Lantern ($71) in a seventh race Class 1.

“More Than Xtra is peaking after a long time off, led at big odds last start, only got us late and he’s progressed.

“With Penza and the good gate, he’ll be on pace and just about win a steady maiden. Won’t be the odds he was last start though ($61)."

Ball doesn’t consider a wide draw a disadvantage for Red Lantern to be ridden by talented comeback apprentice Cejay Graham.

“Forget his last run, resents being crowded too far back and jacked up on the girl.

“He needs galloping room outside of horses and we’ll go forward.

“His maiden win at ‘Port’ was impressive in smart time and he did start evens.”

Meanwhile, Lees a prolific regional premiership winner, has strongly fancied Gripping ($2.50 favourite) in the opening event, last start maiden winners Barcoo River ($7) and Klisha ($6) in the fourth race and Memoria ($3.60) in race six.

At present Taree is rated a Good 4 in fine weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Taree here