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By Tony Megahey

While Taree racing institution and previous long-time Godolphin foreman Tony Ball and regional riding great Grant Buckley combine appealingly with Xtra Approval on the Krambach Cup and Sprint traditional TAB raceday on Friday, there’s other stable incentives on the big day.

Ball confidently bounces off impressive Highway winner Xtra Approval ($5 on TAB) with other strong prospects throughout Taree’s deep eight-race program on a Heavy 8 at present as the region copes with extensive rain while other areas have endured abandoned or transferred meetings.

Xtra Approval (Reece Jones) scores at Rosehill Gardens. Image by Bradley Photographers

Tenacious front running Xtra Approval led to win a deep TAB Highway at Rosehill Gardens on a Soft 5 last month to complete a treble.

And race fit with similar weight and conditions, value odds are expected in a target and tough Krambach Sprint for Ball.

The major incentive though is the gelding’s brave fourth last month in a Highway after missing the start to boom filly Opal Ridge, a controversial omission from The Kosciuszko.

Subsequently Xtra Approval led and fought off all challenges to win a Class 3 Highway at Rosehill Gardens when well supported at double figure odds.

He’s the likely leader on Friday with home track favours.

“The form around a genuine Listed filly stacks up and in his favour is rain-affected, the good draw and on-pace pattern,” Ball enthused.

“It’s a hard race though, doubt if he’ll start favourite ahead of Bugalugs ($4.40) a ten-race winner, it won that Spring Cup at Tamworth.

“And our stablemate (Standing Bear-$11) is going a lot better than his form suggests.

“He won this race last year, fitter for racing and working up to another win. In it for sure.

“But my best on the day just could be in the last with Ready to Chase ($6).

“He’s back in grade to a BM 58 off harder races, drawn race on-pace and is a three-race winner. Yep, lot to like about him.”

Ready to Chase carries a hefty 61.5kg in the Mcc Usu Picnic Day Country Boosted BM 58 for Jeff Kehoe, earned after 11 minor placings with his wins.

A long-time priority for the decade Godolphin foreman is looking after his local connections, owners and friends on Taree’s biggest racedays and this is certainly one of them as Ball has won Krambach features on numerous occasions over many years.

The meeting has attracted the regional heavyweight stables, including Kris Lees and Brett Cavanough who are readying for bigger occasions on the tremendous The Everest and The Kosciuszko at headquarters a day later.

At present Taree is a Heavy 8 but Ball is predicting an upgrade.

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