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By Tony Megahey

Kris Lees has the numbers and pronounced favourites at Friday’s Kempsey TAB meeting, but regional trainer Tony Ball offers value with two runners in the traditional $40,000 Akubra Hats Kempsey Cup over 1450m.

Ball, the veteran former decade long Godolphin assistant foreman and regional Cups specialist, has utilised apprentice claims to have multiple race winners Xtra Approval ($7 on TAB) and Telegraph ($18) ideally placed in the feature.

With a knack for discards and an eye for a bargain, Tony won last month’s Krambach Cup with former Queensland Better Explain on his home track of Taree.

Xtra Approval (Reece Jones) wins at Rosehill Gardens. Image by Racing & Sports

And Sydney wins for Tony are not rare over many years.

On Friday, young apprentices Siena Grima claims 2kg off the 55kg for last start dominant Port Macquarie winner Xtra Approval, a 2022 TAB Highway winner, and Tony’s Taree stable apprentice Leanne Boyd a 3kg relief off 55kg for Telegraph.

While Xtra Approval is shorter odds off his sixth win last start and previous placings, significantly dual Telegraph was scratched early from an easier race.

Xtra Approval is appealing weighted dropping significantly from 59.5kg winning with Matt McGuren at “Port” in easier grade.

“Will be hard to beat, down a stack in grade and tough on-pacer, never runs ordinary,"said Ball.

"The wide gate is no issue, he jumps and runs and was strong winning at 1500m.”

Ball is back home after four runners at Grafton on Wednesday and three at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.

“He [Xtra Approval] plays up at the barriers so he’s better off out there [gate 11]. He's cunning and he’ll load OK but then turns, rears and jibs. But in the race different story, just produces.

“I went to the Cup with Telegraph instead of the Benchmark 58 easier race, he’s looking for 1400m now off shorter. His past couple have been better than the form looks, not far off and closing.

“He’s come on, worked well and from the good gate, he’ll be there all the way. He appears a genuine chance at each-way odds.”

At present Kempsey is a Good 4 in fine weather.

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