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By Tony Megahey

If the Matt Dunn TAB Highway juggernaut is to be stalled, wily ex-Godolphin foreman Tony Ball is big value with favourable circumstances for Bantarki ($8 on TAB) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Murwillumbah’s Dunn incredibly won his 33rd and 34th episodes with Tribeca Star last Saturday and Emperor at headquarters on Big Dance Day and again provides the early favourite at ‘The Gardens” with Bandasha combining also with the great Nash Rawiller.

Bantarki heads to the barriers at Gosford for Regan Bayliss. Image by Bradley Photographers

“I’m hoping from barrier 22 Matt might think he’s got enough Highway money for the time being and give somebody else a chance,” Tony Ball chuckled.

Ball has dual Taree winner Bantarki with coveted barrier one and dropping to 57.5kg for Jay Ford in the $120,000 Class 3, 1400m.

“Barriers are absolutely the biggest factor in these Highways, capacity fields and evenly matched restricted graders.

“Some task out there and we’ve drawn the ‘one’ and weighted with an in-form gelding.”

Bantarki was moved on to Tony from two previous trainers and has revived spectacularly this campaign with two wins from four starts on his home track.

The Sooboog protégé was also nominated for Kempsey on Friday where he was a short-priced favourite but has pleased Ball enough to take on tougher company.

Aside from the imposing presence of Dunn and Rawiller, the Crockett and Dale stables with ongoing series success have strong contenders.

Bantarki is wider in the market at $8 but with three wins from 11 starts.

“Still he's only four, lightly raced and has come back a different horse this time up, won with something in hand at 1000m and 1250m.

“He’s been carrying 60 and 59 kilos so with the weight drop we thought he’s progressed enough to have a crack at a Highway while he’s eligible.

“Up in grade but genuine, in winning form. He’ll race on-pace for Jay, and he’ll keep giving as he’ll eventually get a mile.”

Taree’s Ball who spent a decade as a Godolphin foreman in the Snowden and O’Shea eras is invariably competitive with his rare trips for Highways and is enjoying one of his best seasons.

“We’re tickin’ over alright,” added Tony keen on his prospects at Kempsey on Friday before a bigger occasion on Saturday.

"I fancy my chances with a couple there - Master n’ Commander and Strobing.”

Bandasha the $6 into $4.80 TAB favourite in a wide betting race and “The Gardens” is at present a Good 4 in fine weather.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Rosehill Gardens here