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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 5 or better, with some lead-up rain, and rail out 3m from 1000m to 250m where cutaway applies

We start with some real battlers over the mile at set weights, and that augurs well for home track mare 9. Alt Eff Four who almost has this at his mercy from the inside barrier. Finished hard behind a good galloper at Grafton two runs back before even through the line at Coffs in a much stronger maiden.

Dangers: Beaudesert 6YO 2. Harryup hasn't been far away on both sides of the border all prep. Up in weight but if he runs up to his latest Gold Coast effort, will be in the finish. Another Qld visitor 1. Atomic Bomb has been up and down, in and around the money over a long prep. Close-up in his last couple over the border when absorbing a fair bit of pressure on-speed, and again draws to be in the firing line. Coffs 6YO 5. Money Travels is trying to break through at his 26th start, but has closed strongly in his last two against deeper opposition.

How to play it: Alt Eff Four to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Take two for the maidens, and Beaudesert 5YO 2. Ice Elite is the one to beat fourth-up. Did his best work late in consecutive stronger maidens at the Gold Coast, and step up to this trip is ideal.

Dangers: Local 5YO 3. Look Alike has good tactical speed, and beaten all bar the winner in his last three. Drawn to roll forward again, with winkers going on. Be surprised if anything else wins, but include in exotics 5. Nashville Star third-up off a long break; and 3YO first starter 8. Skellig Island who won the latest of two trials, and draws the inside.

How to play it: Ice Elite to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Tricky race to assess with a few debutants on show. One of them, 4YO So You Think sired mare 7. Catch A Thought looks primed off two trial wins here for leading stable, especially the latest when he sat wide on a decent speed, but still cruised through the line under a good hold.

Dangers: Resuming filly 10. Safely Home also comes out of that key trial finding the line well alongside the other two; as does stablemate filly 12. Winning Factor, although would need to show a lot more on debut off an average trial. Big market watch on Toowoomba 3YO 5. Vintage Borossa who resumes as a gelding off a long break with the blinkers going on.

How to play it: Catch A Thought to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Catch A Thought wins a trial at Ballina on November 23

Wide race, with plenty of chances, headed by progressive and consistent filly 5. Judder who has won two of her last three. Liked the way she accelerated away here after trailing the speed, and timing looks right for a crack at the mile.

Dangers: Gold Coast 4YO 4. Prince Of Arran is easily capable in this grade, despite a poor winning strike rate. Held his ground okay resuming at Lismore, and while this is tougher, he gets significant weight relief after the claim. Casino mare 2. Mount Heidi careered away to win a weaker race at Lismore three runs back, but has just been short of the mark in two runs this grade since. Tough barrier for one who likes to go forward. Resuming 4YO stayer 1. So You're Magic has had two solid trials, but carting 59kg first-up over this trip is a big ask. Local 5YO 6. Unleash The Red, Coffs mare 7. Rispetta, and local 7YO 8. Tycoon Rossa can all be included in wider exotics.

How to play it: Judder to win and first four 4,5/1,2,4,5/1,2,4,5,6,7,8/1,2,4,5,6,7,8. Odds and Evens: Split

Judder wins at Ballina on November 23

Another open sprint. Progressive Eagle Farm filly 10. Silver Bo can go right on with the job third-up over further after powering home to claim her maiden here. Drawn to get a soft trail back in the field, and be produced late.

Dangers: Rival Eagle Farm 3YO 5. One More Pinot has taken a while to break through this prep despite being always well in the market. Comes off a narrow win at Dalby as a hot favourite, and while there's more depth here, he's hard fit and drawn to find a nice spot on-speed. Watch for 5YO 3. Grand Anthem running on late fresh, with key gear changes, for an under-rated Coffs stable.

How to play it: Silver Bo to win and quinella 5 and 10. Odds and Evens: Split

Testing sprint, with several news ones on show. Gold Coast 3YO 4. Rich Devil looks tuned up for his debut off three recent trials, winning the latest, but drawn right off the track.

Dangers: Qld 3YO first starter 5. Yufcalledcharlie has trialled twice, and draws a cosy gate.

How to play it: Rich Devil to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Gold Coast 6YO 6. Usurp has kept improving over three spaced runs this prep, and crucially draws the inside gate, with much a stronger rider going on.

Dangers: Grafton mare 10. Savanna Jeune maps well here just off the speed, and dropping significantly in weight. Has been working home okay all prep, and overdue to crack a third career win. Another Grafton visitor 5. Nanakorobi Yaoki won this grade here second-up before a good closing effort in a Class 2, but will need some luck from a wide draw; while Gold Coast mare 4. Ivy's Dream blew the start badly second-up at home, and can be expected to improve sharply from a good draw.

How to play it: Usurp each way and box trifecta 4,5,6,10. Odds and Evens: Evens.

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Ballina meeting