Military Shrew will appreciate the drop back in grade when stepping out in the Happy Tooth Cessnock Benchmark 64 Handicap (900m) today.
The eight-year-old mare took on a handy field at Randwick last start, in a Benchmark 80 and despite beating the one runner home was only 2.8L away.
Prior to that effort, Military Shrew followed up a win at Gunnedah with a second placing at this course and will look to improve on her record here, having won five of seven starts along with a second placing.
Kassie Furness goes back on board and with the 1.5kg apprentice claim, will only be required to carry 56.5kg.
The daughter of Shrewdy rates well on weight adjusted Timeform ratings and in this small field over her pet distance of 900m will be very hard to hold out.
Royal Flush from the Paul Perry stable got the better of Military Shrew at this C/D last start but Military Shrew did not have a great deal of luck on that occasion.
Recent form has been solid and he is rarely too far away and should be fighting out the finish once again on what he has produced of late,
Won’t be far away from the inside draw and looks the biggest danger to Military Shrew.
Battle Street was Beaten narrowly over 1006m at Port Macquarie then raced below expectations at Newcastle last time out. Better off back in country class and can bounce back in this.
Battlefront has been only modest in two runs this campaign and new trainer Sam Kavanagh has elected to put the winkers back on.
Freshened since a poor run at Taree, running fifth in a recent trial at Rosehill.
On best form could measure up here but hard to make a strong case based on recent efforts.
Ceccuzzi and Believe It certainly not the roughest but will be looking for more ground than what is on offer today.
