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Tips by Jack Webster for Friday’s Ballina meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

2. Spiritchaser has shown improving consistency recently and is proven on rain-affected ground. She resumed from a spell with two trial wins before placing first-up at Rosehill in late November, overcoming a wide draw with a solid run. Returning to the country level after a 7-week let-up, she benefits from a favourable draw and suitable conditions, positioning her well to be competitive here. 4. Their Finest has been performing well in recent starts, with a positive record at this distance and the ability to handle wetter conditions. Excuses can be made for his most recent showing, and she looks poised to be a strong contend. 7. Odette’s Orchids comes into this race off a convincing win in her last start, showing strong form on similar conditions. She’s sure to be a factor again. 6. Got The Smarts has been showing consistency in recent races and can carry that into this one.

How to play it: Spiritchaser WIN ($1.75 Tab Fixed Odds)

5. Moskeeta has been in outstanding form this campaign, starting with two runner-up finishes at Grafton before claiming back-to-back wins at Coffs Harbour in her most recent starts. She boasts a strong record over this distance and has proven her ability on softer ground in the past. Looks to be the major contender in this field. 2. Maximum Cortex will be looking to make it three straight wins after an impressive start to this campaign. Positive previous form on wet ground and favourable draw. 1. Brink Me Kash has shown solid efforts on soft tracks, with four wins in six attempts. He placed at Eagle Farm in his last start and will be a threat here. 7. On Hold as been racing well of late and returns to the country level. Drawn well and looks poised to compete strongly again.

How to play it: Moskeeta WIN ($5.50 Tab Fixed Odds)

5. Super Latte delivered an impressive effort here last start, maintaining a strong on-pace position and battling on gamely before narrowly missing out after being chased down in the final strides. He’ll take improvement from that performance and is fitter second up with the benefit of a quick one-week turnaround. Well-positioned to make another bold showing. 6. Kingdom Underseige has first up and first race for the Matthew Dunn stable after previously being trained by Peter and Paul Snowden. Tougher challenges in initial races but back to the country level, he looks well-placed to perform strongly. 4. Stavritzel has been threating to strike for quite sometime now. Unlucky last start at Coffs Harbour but can improve on that performance going into this one. 11. Kaytee Wisdoms racing on her home track and showed promise in her trial preparations. She could be a surprise contender in this field first up.

How to play it: Super Latte WIN ($6.00 Tab Fixed Odds)

11. Super Sweet is overdue for her maiden win after 16 starts but has shown encouraging signs recently. She just missed the placings here last time after overcoming a tough wide run, finishing strongly in the closing stages. With a 2kg apprentice claim engaged, she gets another chance to break through. 6. Better Believe placed here first up with a strong finish, doing her best work late. She’ll take improvement from that run and benefits from a 2kg claim. 1. Gavin showed flashes of promise in his initial campaign and displayed sharp improvement first up at Murwillumbah. Fitter now and capable of further progress. 13. Ready To Drink is showing improvement and gets a favourable draw here. One to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Super Sweet WIN ($7.00 Tab Fixed Odds)

5. Three Graces has been in terrific form with three straight wins, including a dominant victory at this track and distance on heavy ground. She’s well-positioned with a favourable draw and should continue her winning streak in this race. 10. Caracoron is in solid form, with two consecutive wins at Grafton and Lismore. He draws well from the inside barrier, and with his proven success on wet tracks, he looks ready to deliver another strong performance if the rain holds. 11. Maurizma ran well when placing at Murwillumbah last start, overcoming a tough position to finish second. One of the threats in this field. 12. Smokin’ De Quo has tapered off in recent efforts but can find rhythm here.

How to play it: Three Graces WIN ($7.50 Tab Fixed Odds)

3. Flying Astern gave a respectable performance when narrowly missing out to place first up at Murwillumbah, finding the lead on final stretch but being chased down in closing moments to place third. Fitter for that run, and with a favourable draw, he looks well-positioned to build on that performance and contend strongly in this race. 4. Aima Sun gets another chance to win her maiden here after placing in eight of her ten starts. Ran home well in most recent start at Lismore btu winner proved too good. Should be competitive in this one. 13. Rainbow Lass did her best work late last start at Lismore first up, fighting back from the rear and running on well. Fitter second up. 6. Da Silva Gold gave a fair effort on debut at Murwillumbah and can show natural improvement second up.

How to play it: Flying Astern WIN ($3.90 Tab Fixed Odds)

14. Collay’s Spirit comes off the back of a commanding win last showing at Murwillumbah, setting the tempo early on and showed a strong turn of foot to win convincingly. He’ll face challenges from the wide draw, but if he can find the front again, he has the speed and form to be competitive in this race. 8. Captain Fenkel comes off a strong runner-up finish at Randwick last start and faces an easier task here returning to country level. Main threat. 9. Lord Of Biscay won last start at the Gold Coast, has been freshened, and returns to country level where he can make an impact. 3. Rogue Bear has shown some of his best form on soft tracks and has been holding his own at city level. The drop in distance suits and gets a favourable draw to compete.

How to play it: Collay’s Spirit WIN ($11.00 Tab Fixed Odds)

3. Flying Bat has been in excellent form lately, highlighted by a dominant victory here in his most recent start. He found the lead early and displayed strong late speed to win convincingly with a gap to the rest of the field. Favourable draw and looks primed to compete strongly again. 9. Manic Light placed here first up on a heavy track and followed up with a narrow runner-up finish at Lismore. Fitter for the two-week turnaround and ready to compete again. 7. Dupont showed sharp improvement last start at Beaudesert, narrowly missing out. Benefits from an inside gate and a 1.5kg apprentice claim. 12. Shannon’s Legacy won at this track and distance first up but fell short at Coffs Harbour last start. Faces a wide draw but is proven here and can go close again.

How to play it: Flying Bat WIN ($6.00 Tab Fixed Odds)

All the fields, form and replays for Friday Ballina meeting