CAPACITY fields and warm weather set the scene for a fantastic day of racing at today’s Penshurst Cup meeting.

The cup has attracted a strong field with quality gallopers in Picaroon and Pittsburgh Pirate standing out as the main chances.

The Tom Dabernig-trained Picaroon has not reached the heights of last preparation, which included a Flemington Country Trainers Final win along with Casterton and Apsley Cup victories, but a drop back to this level should see the mare very competitive.

Last weekend at Caulfield, she finished midfield, but only three lengths from Torranzino, the only query being the seven-day back-up, especially with the forecast of hot conditions.

Pittsburgh Pirate, trained by Henry Dwyer, is flying as he lines up for his fourth consecutive win.

A strong all-the-way win in the Ararat Cup followed victory in the St Arnaud Cup, making his current form hard to ignore.

On a track that suits on speed runners, you would expect his regular rider, Neil Farley, to take up the front-running role and be the horse to beat.

Other chances are recent Mortlake Cup winner, Mi Rock Aly, last year’s cup winner, Glitter ‘N’ Gold, and his stablemate, Bitcoin, who has always shown staying promise.

Looking for best bets, I have settled on three horses.

Popular veteran trainer, Quinton Scott, has his small team firing and I expect Bull Dust to add to his good run in the Pat Hassett Memorial Handicap.

While not a regular winner over his career, his three recent runs have been close-up, and with a good Tom Madden ride should be in the finish.

Mitch Freedman brings a small team with Arc De Puissance looking the best of his runners in the Bendigo Bank Dunkeld & District Maiden Plate.

The son of champion stayer, Puissance De Lune, his form is building nicely to a win with strong placings in better maiden fields at Kyneton and Warrnambool.

The McKenna family have always supported Penshurst racing over many years, and today I expect the teams only runner in Cranc to run well in the Zoetis Animal Health Handicap.

During his first run for six months, the lightly raced seven-year-old was a strong second at Mortlake.

Any fitness improvement from that effort and the engagement of Linda Meech makes him hard to ignore.

A couple of longer odds chances are the Mick Sell-trained Ghidi in the Kelly Memorial Handicap, while Mitch Freedman’s Seacryption looks a good quinella hope with Cranc in the last race.

Good punting.

Morg’s selections

Race 1: Pinkerton, Miss Molokai, Riverina Lightning.

Race 2: Big Beam, Buckleup Buddy, Jeuny To The City.

Race 3: Arc De Puissance, Maggie Rose, Sway Baby.

Race 4: The Woke Waiter, The Untacklabull, Interfering.

Race 5: Bull Dust, Warlist, Written By You.

Race 6: Spinhof, Unique Bambino, Ghidi.

Race 7: Picaroon, Pittsburgh Pirate, Mi Rock Aly.

Race 8: Cranc, Bonnaroo, Seacryption.

Sir Agrifo’s selections

Race 1: Pinkerton, Riverina Lightning, Kristique Dancer.

Race 2: Jeuny To The City, Danzana, Big Beam.

Race 3: Arc De Puissance, Tamwood, Frosty Night.

Race 4: The Woke Waiter, The Untacklabull, More Money Please.

Race 5: Warlist, Written By You, Bull Dust.

Race 6: Frose, Spinhof, Zephyr Wings.

Race 7: Picaroon, Mi Rock Aly, Pittsburgh Pirate.

Race 8: Bonnaroo, Cranc, Albanian Bay.