THE 2023 Penshurst Cup has produced a small, but even field for the club’s annual meeting tomorrow.

All seven runners will head to the 2000m start with a legitimate chance of winning the club’s $30,000 event.

The intrigue runner is topweight and former international galloper, Valley Forge.

Under the care of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the winner of three races in Great Britain has failed to fire since relocating to our shores.

In both winter runs, the six-year-old finished well down the track at Sandown before being spelled.

He returns today off the back of two strong 1400m trials at Cranbourne, finishing a close-up second in both.

A return to his UK form would see him winning the cup, but that’s the risk punters need to assess.

Last year’s runner-up, Never Again, returns in good form after placings at both Seymour and Benalla.

A noted top of the ground performer, his chances diminished behind 2022 winner, Anirishman, when the heavens opened and delayed the cup start.

He still ran well despite the conditions, but the scenario could be similar with heavy rain forecast across the state.

The Lindsey Smith trained mare, Glitter ‘N’ Gold, faces a similar fate with no slow or heavy track placings from six attempts, but a fifth placing on a Heavy track in this year’s Listed Warrnambool Cup is outstanding form for today’s race.

Third-up from a spell, the five-year-old could be ready to strike form.

Wetakemanhattan is a recent lower grade Warrnambool winner, but his latest fifth at Benalla in a strong BM70 gives him a chance.

Aaron Purcell is backing up last start Dunkeld runner, Wisaka, who was less than two lengths from Station One in a blanket finish, with the extra fitness early in his preparation making him a threat.

Ballarat trainer, Patrick Kearney, saddles up the consistent Jackand, a last start Geelong winner, while the South Australian pairing of jockey Sairyn Fawke and trainer Scott Irlam have accepted with Mildura winner, Scottish Soldier, for the race.

It’s very much a dart board job finding the winner, but all considered I have landed on Glitter ‘N’ Gold as my selection, despite what mother nature may throw at us again.

If we are racing on a slow to heavy track, Fabian’s Spirit looks a super chance in the Kelly Memorial BM52 over 1476m.

A strong finishing fifth at Dunkeld last weekend, the six-time slow & heavy track winner will be primed at his third run from a spell.

It could make for a big seven days for the training partnership of Denis Daffy and granddaughter Harriet Place, who won with Port Louis at Dunkeld.

Warrnambool trainer, Daniel Bowman, has enjoyed great success at this meeting over the years and today could provide more joy.

Churchie Girl is first-up in the Zoetis Maiden Plate over 1476m followed by Honour De Hero later in the meeting when she contests the Pat Hassett Memorial BM58 over 1284m.

Churchie Girl won a trial at Mortlake earlier this month and won’t need to improve much off that effort to handle today’s opposition.

Honour De Hero has placed and won here the past two years and despite drawing a wide barrier, she looks very hard to beat again.

Stable rider, Melissa Julius, takes both rides.

For those punters looking for bookend bets, Villainesque looks a special in the opening race for trainer, Matt Laurie, and the final Jamie Barry’s galloper In The Sun give can give apprentice jockey, Jordyn Weatherley, another winner after her first success at Dunkeld last weekend.

Race fields are on Page 39.

Good punting.

Morg’s selections

Race 1: Villainesque, Rocklea, Rock My Socks Off.

Race 2: Ibutho, Lakota Blaze, Dependency.

Race 3: Churchie Girl, Big Town, Mister Fairbanks.

Race 4: Brain Fog, Hrungnir, Paul Edward.

Race 5: Honour De Hero, Thunderanlightning, Thanasi.

Race 6: Glitter ‘N’ Gold, Never Again, Wetakemanhattan.

Race 7: Fabian’s Spirit, Roll Me Away, Let’s Atom.

Race 8: In The Sun, Kadena, Giallo.

Best Bet: Villainesque.

Next Best: Brain Fog.

Each Way: Churchie’s Girl.

Longshot: Roll Me Away.