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By Tony Megahey

Emerging prospects from the Kris Lees stable should justify favouritism at Friday’s Tuncurry-Forster TAB meeting, while the extensive travel of Riverina’s Nick Heywood to ride is a major incentive.

Big numbers are educated on northern tracks in proximity to Lees’s Newcastle base and lightly raced impressive winners Oakfield Wallaby ($2.80 favourite on TAB) and Better Not Bitter ($3.40) are expected to progress through the grades.

They’ve already won four races between them.

Oakfield Wallaby (Darryl McLellan) in winning form at Scone. Image by Bradley Photographers

Heywood rides Oakfield Wallaby in the L&B Glass, BM 58, 2100m and 'Digger' McLellan is on Better Not Bitter in the Forster Bowling Club BM 66, 1600m.

Vitally both are drawn inside on the tight and turning track.

While Oakfield Wallaby rises to 60kg from a dominant Scone win with 55.5kg, the drop to country grade from the stronger provincials is a major push. So too Heywood’s presence on the four-year-old Dissident mare.

With five rides at the meeting, the near 16-hour return trip from his Wagga Wagga base emphasises his intent and expectations.

Heywood travelled for one ride at Royal Randwick three weeks ago to win on boom Mogo Magic to ensure retainment for the leading The Kosciuszko contender.

He rode a double at Goulburn on Monday and returned to ride a winner at Gundagai on Tuesday and previously a Sapphire double.  So to Tuncurry-Forster and Lees.

“I’ve got an opinion of Oakfield Wallaby, genuine staying mare with the makings of city grade I think,” Lees enthused.

“While she’s up a deal in weight she’s a strong mare, won’t worry her; maybe Scone was a harder race and back to country grade.”

Better Not Bitter has won twice at Port Macquarie and significantly was long odds-on both occasions.

“Resuming, nice type, really consistent, trialled well enough and while he'll be better for the run he’s forward enough for the grade.”

At present the track is a Soft 5 in fine weather.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Tuncurry-Forster here