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By Gary Harley

Taree four-year-old Blinkin Artie could end a frustrating run of minor placings when he steps out in the Job Centre Australia Benchmark 70 Handicap (1350m) at the Wyong race meeting on Thursday.

Blinkin Artie won a Taree Open Handicap four starts back before being runner-up at Walcha, Rosehill and Muswellbrook in his past three starts.

He chased home I Wanna Be A Jeep in the Walcha Cup then was beaten a head by Bangkok at Rosehill. Last start Blinkin Artie was a gallant second behind The Bandit in the Muswellbrook Cup.

RACE 1, BAYVIEW HOTEL MAIDEN PLATE, 1350M: Tapiconic finished a close fourth in a strong Newcastle Maiden on debut on March 21. He was hampered at the start and over raced at the 800 before chasing hard to get within 1.85 lengths of the winner. The three year old had outstanding trial form prior to his debut. Furlana has been runner up in four of her eight starts and will be hard to beat while Provocative Man has trialled well.
SELECTIONS: 5 TAPICONIC, 6 FURLANA, 4 PROVOCATIVE MAN

RACE 2, FREDDY’S FISHING MAIDEN PLATE, 2100M: Alam Mo Na is a blueblood from the Lee’s stable and she is ready to win. Bred to stay all day this filly has been placed in her only two starts at Scone and she is crying out for this trip. Costa Zou is looking for a firm track and he will appreciate the longer trip. Heaven’s Dream has a place chance.
SELECTIONS: 7 ALAM MO NA, 2 COSTA ZOU, 3 HEAVEN’S DREAM

RACE 3, GOSFORD RENT A TRUCK PROV & COUNTRY MAIDEN, 1350M: Reiby’s Regent is a speedy colt and has his foot on the till. He wasn’t far away on the heavy track at Hawkesbury last start and his other two wins at Hawkesbury this prep have been solid. Well Decorated had no luck on this track last start when his jockey protested unsuccessfully against the winner. Angiolini has been placed in her past two starts and could figure in the minor money again.
SELECTIONS: 3 REIBY’S REGENT, 5 WELL DECORATED, 7 ANGIOLINI

RACE 4, HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB MAIDEN, 1000M: The two Godolphin three-year-olds Pretorius and Handspun stand out here. Pretorius was stiff when beaten a length and a half at Gosford last start. He was held up at the top of the straight and blocked for a run at the 200 last start. Handspun is resuming and had excuses when she was a close third at Newcastle in September. Chelsea Reign is first up after a nice trial.
SELECTIONS: 1 PRETORIUS, 4 HANDSPUN, 7 CHELSEA REIGN

RACE 5, HARVEY NORMAN CLASS 1, 1600M: Plagiarist had sound form last prep and his only win was first up. He was twice close behind Semper Fidelis in races in the spring and he was narrowly beaten in his only run on this track. Peace of Mind bolted in at Goulburn last start and is a threat. Grand Bouquet has a place chance.
SELECTIONS: 2 PLAGIARIST, 8 PEACE OF MIND, 3 GRAND BOUQUET

RACE 6, JIM’S MOWING CENTRAL COAST & NEWCASTLE CLASS 1, 1300M: Lucky Mission does plenty wrong but he is talented. He was placed in his first two starts at Gosford before an easy Newcastle win in November. He was disappointing first up at Newcastle recently but he is much better than that. Bondi Boy came from a mile back to win running away at Wyong last start and he is a big watch. Impetuoso is a winner on this track and she has been unlucky a couple of times.
SELECTIONS: 2 LUCKY MISSION, 3 BONDI BOY, 5 IMPETUOSO

RACE 7, JOB CENTRE AUSTRALIA B/M 70, 1350M: Blinkin Artie is knocking on the door after three consecutive runner up performances. He was runner up in the recent Muswellbrook and Walcha Cups and two starts back he was narrowly beaten at Rosehill. Bring A Secret raced okay in quality races down south and the blinkers go back on and he gets a 3 kilogram claim. Wild About Her is a staying type mare which trialled well recently.
SELECTIONS: 1 BLINKIN ARTIE, 2 BRING A SECRET, 5 WILD ABOUT HER

RACE 8, NBN NEWS CLASS 2, 1100M: Trumbull is very promising and he bolted in first up at Newcastle three weeks ago. He races well on his home track and he likes a soft track. He has a soft draw and Collett rides. Valeria never got on the track first and subsequently won a trial by 7 lengths. Bare Naked Lady has a good record and was impressive in a recent trial.
SELECTIONS: 1 TRUMBULL, 3 VALERIA, 2 BARE NAKED LADY

GARY HARLEY’S LATE MAIL
RACE 1
5 TAPICONIC – NO LUCK ON DEBUT
6 FURLANA – KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
4 PROVOCATIVE MAN – PLACED 4 OF LAST 5
7 DONE RIGHT – PLACE

RACE 2
7 ALAM MO NA – PROMISING STAYER. BIG PLAYER
2 COSTA ZOU – THIS TRIP MORE SUITABLE
3 HEAVEN’S DREAM – TOUGH RUN LAST START
5 AVALENE – RACES LIKE A STAYER

RACE 3
3 REIBY’S REGENT – SPEEDY. THIS IS HIS RACE
5 WELL DECORATED – RUNNER UP LAST 3
7 ANGIOLINI – WILL GIVE A SIGHT
10 PALAIS DE LOUVRE – COUNTRY FORM GOOD

RACE 4
1 PRETORIUS – VERY UNLUCKY LAST START
4 HANDSPUN – READY 1^ST UP AFTER NICE TRIAL
7 CHELSEA REIGN – TRIALS GOOD. BLINKERS ON
5 ROCK AMORE – 1^ST START. TRIALS OK

RACE 5
2 PLAGIARIST – QUALITY CITY FORM LAST PREP
8 PEACE OF MIND – HUGE COUNTRY WIN
3 GRAND BOUQUET – WILL IMPROVE
5 LOVESEAT – HARD TO FAULT FORM

RACE 6
2 UNLUCKY MISSION – PLACED ONLY 2 RUNS HERE
3 BONDI BOY – OVERCAME DIFFICULTIES LAST START
5 IMPETUOSO – ONLY WIN THIS TRACK
1 KOSCIUSKO – SPEEDY. WENT WELL BOTH STARTS

RACE 7
1 BLINKIN ARTIE – DESERVES CHANGE OF LUCK
2 BRING A SECRET – DON’T UNDERESTIMATE
5 WILD ABOUT HER – STAYING TYPE BUT CHANCE
6 BE MINDFUL – NOT COMFORTABLE HEAVY TRACK LAST START

RACE 8
1 TRUMBULL – HIGHLY PROMISING. SHOULD WIN
3 VALERIA – CLASSY MAIN THREAT
2 BARE NAKED LADY – HAS GOOD RECORD
6 MOCCASIN MISS - PLACE