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By Tony Megahey

The border hoppers have converged in numbers on Ballina for Sunday’s TAB meeting where the prerequisite is heavy trackers and on-pace speedsters.

After weeks of bad weather and lost meetings, local trainers are relieved to be racing, albeit on a Heavy 8 for eight capacity races and including many gallopers from South Queensland stables.

Maximum Vortex (Cejay Graham) scores at Grafton. Image by Trackside Photography

Switched on young local trainer Ethan Ensby is the go-to man with a substantial team and five acceptors at Ballina where he started before training at Casino.

“Tough as it gets, different form lines from the Queenslanders, worst side of heavy with big fields so leaders all day,” Ethan offered of the tight and turning Ballina track.

“The rail is out 3m before the cutaway, so pinning me down the best is our performed sprinter Maximum Vortex, back in grade from that Listed race at Eagle Farm.”

Two weeks ago the four-race winning Maximum Vortex led to the turn third-up in a hot field of Listed and Group quality in the Hinkler Sprint. The leaders were swamped late by the Kris Lees-trained Willinga Beast.

“It was a high pressure all the way, we never got a breather and it was a swooper’s race, different story here, back in grade to a BM 82, good gate and a claim for Molly Fitzgerald.”

In the Lennox Head Hotel BM 82 (1260m) the four-year-old gelding is rarely led and well in with 58kg less a 2.5kg claim for the young apprentice who led to win on him four starts back at Grafton.

While Maximum Vortex has never won on heavy, he’s won and been placed on soft and Ensby is confident he’ll get through Sunday’s conditions.

“In a race at Grafton he was trapped on the inside where it was lengths inferior. But in clearing weather up here, there’s some hope of an upgrade by Sunday.”

Early career Maximum Vortex won his first four starts for Ethan and is an admirable 12 starts four wins and runner-up twice.

At big odds, stablemate Northern Invader is given some hope by the trainer in the final event.

“He won his maiden on soft, no luck last start but his previous run was massive - has drawn in and fitter for racing.”

At present Ballina is a Heavy 8 in fine weather.

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