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By Neil Evans

An untapped provincial-based three-year-old is primed to kick-start his career when he gets his first taste of drier ground at Monday’s Taree meeting.

Navy Pier ($2.25 favourite on TAB), a son of Divine Prophet in the David Atkins stable at Newcastle, returns for only his second start in the Clifton Taree Maiden Handicap over 1400m.

Navy Pier (Aaron Bullock) heads onto the track at Newcastle. Image by Bradley Photographers

Back in March, despite trialling well and surrounded by plenty of hype before his debut outing on the Newcastle Beaumont Track, Navy Pier was disappointing for his sole owner.

He was heavily backed from $5 into $2.90 that day, but drawn low on what quickly turned out to be inferior ground, was never comfortable on the heavy rating finishing five lengths from the winner.

But the form around that race was strong, although connections abruptly tipped Navy Pier out for another break, and more time to strengthen and mature.

He was given one easy trial in heavy ground four weeks ago, and connections have been deliberate and patient in waiting for the right race and distance on a drier surface.

Although rain is forecast for the Mid-North Coast later this week, Monday's rating is a Good 4 and Navy Pier drew to get a cosy run with cover just off the speed.

Significantly, Navy Pier is Atkins’ only runner on the eight-race program having scratched Rockbarton Max from the opening maiden after he drew the outside barrier, and promising three-year-old Expido opened is the hot $1.50 favourite.

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