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By Tony Megahey

Keen form student and former long-term Godolphin employee Tony Ball, invariably offers value and he reckons the wetter the better as long as they race at Monday’s Kempsey TAB meeting where it’s a Heavy 10 at present with possible rain forecast on Sunday.

Trainer Tony Ball on strapping duties

“I’ve only got a couple in but they’re swimmers, big odds and the track will still be on the worst side of heavy as they’re tipping more showers - we’ll see,” offered Taree-based Ball, who has outsiders Ready to Chase ($7 on TAB), Haunting Spirit ($11) and Senatorial ($15) in respective races.

Threepoint Missile ($26) will back up at Kempsey after finishing 16th to London Gal in the TAB Highway at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“I’ve got some travelling but no complaining - this old fella getting a run for big prizemoney when mine find a leg on heavy and it can be a problem for most opposition.”

At Kempsey, Ready to Chase contests the Akubra Hats TAB $24,000 Open Handicap (1000m) with 55kg for Jon Grisedale.

“Old story, up in grade, down in weight, lot tougher than his Tuncurry win but it was a heavy eight where he led. Drawn to be on-pace again where you need to be in this going.

“He’s only a lightly raced four-year-old, giving away experience but very genuine and both his wins were on heavy.”

And Ball reckons forget the modest one win from 37 starts record for Haunting Spirit in a Kempsey-Macleay RSL Class 1 (1000m).

“He’s always had ability but some problems; this prep he’s come back a completely different horse, been placed four times on heavy tracks, he’ll run a race I’m telling you”.

Ball sure is. In his last preview for Racing NSW for last month’s Taree Cup meeting, he tipped his $15 maiden winner Xtra Approval and the Cup winner at $8 in Charmmebaby: “A good thing,” he noted.

Kempsey has capacity fields for a seven-race TAB program and at present remains a Heavy 10.

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