Right attitude to take Wolfgram a long way

 Warwick Farm trainer David Pfieffer is enjoying the challenge with new recruit Travis Wolfgram and the pair combine at Cessnock on Monday with a strong chance.

Pfieffer had a public split with former apprentice Brodie Loy but has enjoyed immediate success with Wolfgram, a Queensland rider with previous experience in Sydney after serving brief terms with Gai Waterhouse and Ron Quinton.

Wolfgram rode a 'ten out of ten' according to Pfieffer at only his second ride for the stable when steering Pelethronius home at Kembla Grange in late January.

Pfieffer and Wolfgram team-up with four-year-old gelding Licenced Lad in the Wine Country Motor Inn Benchmark 70 Handicap (1350m) at Cessnock on Monday.

Licenced Lad has drawn favourably in barrier two and is quoted as the $4.20 favoured elect with Sportsbet.

"His form is solid and it's a big drop in grade," Pfieffer said.

"He's drawn to get the run of the race and I've told Travis I want him in the first three which is usually the place to be around Cessnock."

One of Queensland's most promising apprentices, Wolfgram scored a metropolitan win for Muswellbrook trainer Jan Bowen at Warwick Farm last Wednesday aboard Eminent Duke.

"He's got a great attitude," Pfieffer said. "He knows that the only way he'll climb the ladder is by working harder than the next bloke.

"He is willing to focus on the country and provincial circuit at this time of year and hopefully his 2kg city claim will kick-in during the winter months and he can have more success in town.

"He is well known in Queensland but is still working hard at making a name for himself in Sydney. It's a competitive marketplace so he needs to make himself stand out."

Wolfgram has four rides at Cessnock on Monday with the Bjorn Baker-trained Seven Ten Split ($3.90 Sportsbet) one of his better mounts. He also rides Metung Penny ($9) for Scott Singleton in the opening race and Saturday Saga ($13) for Pam Webber in the closing event.

Click here to access Racenet's free formguide for Cessnock racing today.

One of Pfieffer's stable stars Cradle Me returned from a let-up with an eye-catching fifth behind Savoureux in the Group III Wenona Girl Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

"She didn't get a lot of room in the straight and should have gone close to winning," Pfieffer said.

"She'll go to the Birthday Card in a fortnight where she'll drop in weight and generally she improves second-up so I'm looking forward to that."

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