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Licenced Lad should relish dropping back to country company in the Win Country Motor Inn at Cessnock on Monday.

The David Pfieffer-trained gelding has struck form in his past couple of outings, winning over 1100m at Nowra two back before being not far off making all over 1300m at Newcastle.

That Newcastle outing returned a Timeform rating of 76, three pounds shy of his master Timeform rating achieved when breaking maiden status at Hawkesbury back in November 2014.

The gelding has long held his own at provincial level and therefore a drop back to country company in Monday’s Wine Country Motor Inn has the son of Canny Lad looking well suited.

David Pfieffer has found a race for Licenced Lad where he to be frank is the only runner in the market with a respectable last start showing to his name.

Add to that a favourable draw and a slow early tempo which he will be prominent on and all signs point to a strong showing in the third event at Cessnock on Monday.

The case for Licenced Lad becomes stronger when looking at his main opposition.

Busting Through shapes as a rival third up and out to 1350m after battling efforts to commence his latest campaign over 1100m.

He is well drawn and the 2kg claim of apprentice Blaike McDougall is used to good effect.

Kite Hill placed at Muswellbrook last start which is more than can be said for a majority of her rivals in this contest.

Husswick might be worth keeping safe after being ambitiously placed in a Country Championships Qualifying Heat last stat.

This is easier and Robert Thompson combining with Rodney Northam is always a combination which must be respected.

That said, David Pfieffer and Travis Wolfgram must be respected when they head to Cessnock.

Pfieffer possesses a strike rate of 21% at the track while former Queensland-based apprentice Travis Wolfgram boasts a 38% strike rate at Cessnock from 13 rides at a profit on turnover of 38.5%.

Both trainer and jockey can build upon these strike rates with Licenced Lad in the Wine Country Motor Inn Benchmark 70 Handicap at Cessnock on Monday.