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By Doug Ryan

In-form local trainer Tony Ball has two good prospects from only two runners at Manning Valley Race Club's TAB meeting at Bushland Drive Racecourse, Taree on Tuesday.

His nine winners this season has him four clear of his nearest Mid North Coast Racing Association fellow trainers and Ready To Chase and Xtra Approval are knocking on the door for wins.

He has also had 19 placings with prizemoney for the season nearing $200,000.

"It has been a good season so far and I hope it keeps on going."

Ball said it was difficult to get a handle on how his gallopers will go with summer weather types finding a predominance of wet weather tracks.

But even though the Taree track was downgraded to a Soft 7 at last Monday's Taree meetng, he thought it played more like a Soft 5, such is the great recovery of the surface.

His five-year-old gelding Adamdeeant, a track record holder for 1000m at Taree's previous meeting, again showed dash to lead all the way to score by just over a length, his four-year-old gelding Ready To Chase being a close third.

Ready To Chase will again be ridden by Coffs Harbour jockey Jon Grisedale in the Banksia Turf Club Benchmark 58, Class 2 and Above Handicap over 1005m on Tuesday.

"My horse is fine, you wouldn't know he had been in a race last start," Ball said.

"I think he cost $11,000 online and he always gives his best he tries hard. His last win was over 1000m on a heavy track at Tuncurry four starts back."

Fellow Taree trainer Joe Burges who operates from a farm at Bulahdelah has five-year-old gelding Farmer's Friend having its first start for him after transferring from trainer Cody Morgan and the galloper has the services of apprentice jockey Jackson Searle in the saddle.

"I gave him a jump out last Wednesday and although he might need the run, the 1000m should suit," Burges said.

He took up training 18 months ago, starting with three or four horses, now has six to eight in work and has about another eight being broken in or spelling.

Although he has been having plenty of placings recently he said: "They are running good races but I can't buy a win at the moment."

Coffs Harbour trainer Jim Jarvis has had two wins from the past three starts with four-year-old gelding Boncheva in the same race, both wins being on his home track over 1450m and 1012m in heavy ground.

Another chance is Coffs Harbour mare Supreme Diva, trained by Brett Bellamy, the horse having won at Taree at the distance and was fourth at Coffs before barrier trialling.

Xtra Approval will be ridden by accident comeback Port Macquarie jockey Cejay Graham in the Kennards Hire Taree Class 1 Handicap over 1005m, having won at Taree over 1000m on November 21 and was trapped deep when seventh over 1110m at Port on January 1.

"It looks and has worked well since," Ball said.

Burges is also keen on the chances of five-year-old gelding Barry's Lane in the Horsepower Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1408m, the horse being only a half-length back in third behind Taree's Persian Beauty over 1600m at Taree on December 19.

In the same race four-year-old mare Atlantic Lite, trained at Taree by Matthew Robinson, is a chance despite its form in stronger races at Taree recently.

In 15 starts at Taree the horse has recorded two wins and five placings and only has to only recapture that form.

SELECTIONS
RACE 1: SUNCRAFT 1, LUCK APLENTY 2, SACRET DELAGO 3.
RACE 2: GRECIAN LASS 1, MILITARY STAR 2, TYPHOON AMBER 3.
RACE 3: MARKIEVICZ 1, MINIFINN 2, MR EIGHTY EIGHT 3.
RACE 4: READY TO CHASE 1, SUPREME DIVA 2, BONCHEVO 3.
RACE 5: HIGBURY 1, THUNDERBOLT TWO 2, XTRA APPROVAL 3.
RACE 6: BARRY'S LANE 1, ATLANTIC LITE 2, FIGHT FOR LOVE 3.
RACE 7: SHERRINGFORD 1, ZARU 2, AWESOME SPIRIT 3.