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Minnesota will appreciate the drop in grade when she lines up in the Lazy Yak Benchmark 65 Handicap (1000m) at Kembla Grange today.
The Gwenda Markwell-trained runner has been very consistent in city company of late and comes off a last start third behind Elle Lou at Randwick last time out over 1200m.
Minnesota should appreciate the drop back to the 1000m where she has a good record and with the much needed 3kg claim from Brock Ryan gets in very well.
From barrier eight would expect the daughter of Snitzel to not be too far away in the run and if she runs up to her recent efforts she will take plenty of beating in this company.
Arguably her best form has come over the 1000m trip and she has consistently run the same sort of figures throughout the entire preparation which would be good enough to return to the winners circle today.
King’s Tariff looks the obvious danger coming off a last start win over the 1000m at Hawkesbury.
Well up in the weights today without a claim which is a slight concern however his recent form has been very good and he also finds himself back in class for this.
Should roll forward again today from barrier 3 with Glyn Schofield on board and having been ultra consistent in recent times expect him to be in the finish.
Yet to win at Kembla Grange from three attempts however has placed on two of those occasions and was not far away at Hawkesbury two back with 59.5kg.
Skyway should also push forward from the good draw following a good run for second when returning over this C/D last start.
Nick Heywood goes on board today and claims a much needed 3kg and the Geoff Hall-trained runner must be respected off his last start effort.
Lightly raced for a six-year-old and despite not having won a race in a long time his strike rate is not too bad and has shown enough to suggest he can measure up today.
Art Of Excellence rounds out the main chances despite having won just the one race in his career.
Broke through when returning at Goulburn this campaign and three subsequent runs have been pretty good, just out of the placings when fourth over 1000m at Hwkesbuet last start.
Rates well on weight adjusted ratings with the 57kg and would not be surprised to see him somewhere in the finish.
