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Respected family locals Wayne and Joel Wilkes and veteran former Godolphin employee Tony Ball offer value against the clout and numbers of Kris Lees at Friday’s Taree TAB meeting.

Lees lower-tiered runners are ideally placed and invariably start favourite furthering education at the provincials on a capacity eight-race program with numerous emergencies.

But Ball and the Wilkes father and son team usually give a sight with home track advantage.

Senatorial (Mikayla Weir) warms up at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

“The bigger stables have got to find races for their numbers, so it’s getting harder up here, but I’ve got a couple of cheeky chances on the day,” Ball offered.

“My best probably my good horse Senatorial ($15 on TAB), loves it at home, fitter from a spell had no luck last start and the little girl (Cejay Graham) is a really capable apprentice.”

Senatorial contests the Kennard’s Hire Taree BM 58 (1614m) with 59kg, less a minimal allowance for Cejay from a renowned northern racing family who has been getting regular opportunities in the city.

As a five-race winner, four at Taree, Senatorial is well graded.

“He’s drawn to be more forward, a victim of circumstances last start, missed the kick and got squeezed right back.

“He’ll be closer here strong at the ‘mile’ and my newcomers go alright.”

Tony’s first starter Strobing ($)19, a Waterhouse and Bott discard, contests the second race maiden for Aaron Bullock.

“They didn’t think he was city grade, had just the one trial at Randwick, he’s bred well enough and to get over a distance but he’s forward enough for a maiden here.”

Ball’s debut filly Brienno Belle ($9) contests the seventh race maiden with Matthew Bennett off a Coffs trial.

“This filly goes pretty good, awful draw but she’s forward enough and you’ve got to start somewhere, we’ll try and get over best we can.”

Adamdeeant ($4.80) contests the fourth race named after his trainer and Tony fancies him back in grade from Gosford and a previous speedy Taree winning double.

Lees has paid up for I Want One ($3.80) and Mauricently ($2.30 favourite) who have won three races between them in Senatorial’s race. At present Taree is a Soft 5 in fine weather.

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