THE new Penshurst race date has ticked off the first box with terrific acceptances for a big day’s racing today.

Making the tough decision to relinquish the traditional Boxing Day date in favour of slotting into the spring racing calendar, the club should be well pleased with the fields.

By all reports, ticket sales have been good and with the weather looks to be in the high teens with no rain, as the club looks to have struck another slice of luck considering the extended wet we have had this winter.

The track was rated as a Slow6 earlier in the week, but should be perfect for racing today.

While quality and depth are lacking in some fields, the Penshurst Cup has attracted an even field that has been well supported by leading stables.

Symon Wilde will be hoping for another piece of Penshurst silverware, having already won the feature race five times.

Aurora’s Symphony will jump as one of the favourites based on her recent good form.

A good second at the Bendigo Cup meeting was followed by a close-up third placing in the stronger Ararat Cup, finishing behind Tibetan and Orleans Rock.

Harry Grace takes the ride and with an economical run from barrier one looks very well placed.

The Maher and Eustace stable have Court Deep running over the 2000m trip for the first time.

His four wins have ranged from 1300m to 1600m, but if he can handle the rise in trip, his form is outstanding for this race.

On Oaks Day he finished fifth behind Bermadez, beaten less than two lengths in the strong Country Final over 1600m.

Bermadez will be one of the favoured runners in a strong BM78 at Ballarat today.

Other runners with a chance are Takumi, trained by Aaron Purcell, who was scratched from Dunkeld last week waiting for a better surface, Mangione who was brave when second behind Barry The Baptist in that same race and Under Oath who will be fitter for his recent fifth in the Ballan Cup.

Hamilton trainer, Peter Young, will be looking for another win with his mare, Miss Cavendish.

Placed as a maiden at this meeting in 2018, the seven-year-old was a good winner in this class at Mortlake, before finishing down the track at Hamilton last start.

Back to BM52 grade with Melissa Julius riding, she looks very hard to beat.

A stable of interest at today’s meeting is the Leon and Troy Corsten’s team.

Bringing four runners, they have engaged former Perth jockey, Chloe Azzopardi, to ride.

Azzopardi who had great success as an apprentice has relocated to Victoria to be with the Corsten’s stable.

Mystery Flyer and American Flyer look to be stand outs in their respective races, with Machinate and first starter, Lady Hillary, also well worth watching.

The best bet looks to be Carpentasia, for trainer Andrew Bobbin, in the Pat Hassett Memorial Maiden Plate.

Two placings from her only three starts have been solid, and with a nice barrier and the inform Will Gordon riding, she should break her maiden today.

Good Punting

Race 1 - Lady Hilary, Bloomin’ Crafty, Miss Cumberland.

Race 2 - Hello Sweetheart, Keep The Magic, Who Shot Who.

Race 3 - Mystery Flyer, Mighty Ganges, Roll Me Away.

Race 4 – Opicina, Honour De Hero, Motley.

Race 5 - American Flyer, Libbyangel, Manhattan Arch.

Race 6 – Carpentasia, Machinate, Wongabelle.

Race 7 - Stately Star, Autumn’s Best, Sly Sloth.

Race 8 - Miss Cavendish, Costa Maya, Miss Juvenile.

Race 9 - Aurora’s Symphony, Court Deep, Mangione.