Musselburgh ups the ante

MUSSELBURGH Racecourse is set to host its richest-ever day's racing next Saturday with the centrepiece being the most valuable race ever staged at the East Lothian track. The totepool Edinburgh Cup – not to be confused with the Musselburgh Gold Cup – over the Derby distance of one mile and four furlongs will have a prize fund of £80,000.

It is also something of a gamble by the racecourse executive, as the race will be a handicap for three-year-olds rated 0 to 105 only, with the aim of creating almost a consolation event for colts and fillies which did not quite have the class to make it to Epsom for the Derby or Oaks.

It may take a year or two before this new race gains the prestige and entries which such prizes bring, but Musselburgh's general manager Bill Farnsworth is taking a long-term view.

"Our aim is to make this new Edinburgh Cup the main event of a day which is all about good racing," said Farnsworth. "We have our Ladies Day and other events at the racecourse, but Edinburgh Cup day is all about quality racing and letting people see the sport at its best."

Also to be staged next Saturday, when Channel 4 will be covering the meeting, will be the 50,000 Scottish Sprint Cup, also sponsored by the Tote, plus the Edinburgh Castle stakes for two-year-olds. The Investec Derby at Epsom will be shown live on course screens.

In further news from Musselburgh, First Minister Alex Salmond, long a supporter of Scottish racing, is set to open the new stable complex at the meeting on 18 June.