TODAY racing returns to the beautiful setting beneath Mt Abrupt, but unfortunately for the Dunkeld Racing Club, 2021 will be without crowds for the second year running.

The logistics of setting up for a COVID event in a shortened space of time almost made it impossible to be ready for race day.
Despite having no general public in attendance, the club has attracted strong fields for its iconic annual meeting.
All but two races have capacity fields, but with some wet and wild weather predicted, fields may be affected by late scratchings.
At the time of print, the track was rated a Slow6, therefore any rain will more than likely push it into the heavy range.
The $50,000 Dunkeld Cup has attracted a strong and very even field with most horses appearing to have some chance of taking home the major silverware.
Barry The Baptist, trained at Stawell by Paul Jones, looks ready to add another cup to the mantelpiece.
Despite not having won for 18 months, the Apsley and Stawell Cups winner has been close up in his last two runs, including a fifth in the Ararat Cup last Sunday.
Prior to that he ran second to one of today’s main dangers in Morton’s Fork in the Avoca Cup.
The track conditions should suit having won on both slow and heavy tracks previously.
As mentioned, Morton’s Fork has been consistent as he follows the local country cups.
Trained by Lindsey Smith, the eight-year-old has a Hamilton Cup placing and close-up efforts in both the Coleraine and St Arnaud Cups to go with his Avoca victory.

Takumi and Black Syrah also present as good chances, while plenty of local support will be with Nordic Symphony, who is trained by Symon Wilde.
The Carrazzo Consulting BM64 Handicap over 1000m looks a super race on paper with plenty of speed guaranteed from the moment the barriers open.
The main chances in Kev’s Girl, Lunar Hero and Highway To Success all like to race on speed, as does Kaakit Akit, a new addition to the Symon Wilde team.
With all this speed and pressure, it may play into the hands of Lindsey Smith’s four-year-old, Mista Razzledazzle, despite possibly preferring further than the 1000m scamper.
One galloper that will appreciate a wet track is O’Reilly McLuke.
The Symon Wilde-trained five-year-old has been very consistent without winning this preparation and looks one of the better bets when lining up in the Catanachs Jewellers BM70 Handicap over 1200m.
One of his two wins since arriving from New Zealand was on a Heavy8 at Warrnambool.
Punters should be able to get off to a flying start by following the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable in the Ararat Meat Exports 3YO Maiden Plate over 1000m.
The Weight after a solid third on debut at St Arnaud, should be able to lead and win around the tight circuit.
Prior to that race, the filly easily won a trial on a heavy track at Murtoa.
Socialite Miss looks a great each way chance in the XXXX Gold 0-58 Handicap for local trainer, Rebecca Winnell.
If the daughter of Atomic can handle the rise to 1800m, she will be competitive based on her last two runs at Bendigo and Geelong.
The hardest to beat looks to be Pride Of Kinross from the Jason Warren and Dean Krongold stable.
Good punting.
Morg’s selections
Race 1: The Weight, Rupert’s Delight, Mr Satellite.
Race 2: Apsara, Parafield Gardens, Kahungunu.
Race 3: Mystery Flyer, Vancity, Bill The Boxer.
Race 4: O’Reilly McLuke, Expectant, Dee Keepa.
Race 5: Pride Of Kinross, Socialite Miss, Miss Mask.
Race 6: Barry The Baptist, Morton’s Fork, Takumi.
Race 7: Mista Razzledazzle, Lunar Hero, Kev’s Girl.
Race 8: Mr Grumpy, American Flyer, Mischievous Lad.