Peplinski takes reins at Kelso

HAZEL Peplinski will assume her new role as Kelso’s clerk of the course when the Borders racecourse opens its new season on Sunday, 2 October with its popular Family Day

Peplinski has taken the reins from Anthea Morshead, who has relocated to the south of England.

A familiar face around the Scottish racing circuit Peplinski has been clerking at Hamilton and stood in at Ayr last winter. She is from a family steeped in racing history, with both her brothers riding on the northern point-to-point circuit.

Meanwhile, Australian Paul Bittar has been appointed chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority. The 41-year-old will start his new role at British racing’s governing and regulatory authority in January. Chris Brand has been acting chief executive since Nic Coward left in March.

Elsewhere, Americain has been given top weight of 58 kilograms for the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on 1 November. The Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained six-year-old shouldered 54.5kg when winning the race 12 months ago.

The top-three-weighted horses in this year’s Melbourne Cup are all internationals, with Brian Meehan’s Dangerous Midge on 57.5kg and Irish St Leger winner Jukebox Jury, trained by Mark Johnston, on 57kg. Johnston also has Fox Hunt (53kg) entered. Godolphin’s Cavalryman has been allocated 55kg, with emerging stablemate Lost In The Moment given 53kg.

Red Cadeaux, third in the Irish St Leger, has 53.5kg, while David Lanigan’s Meeznah, impressive in the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster on Thursday, is the highest-weighted mare on 53kg. Dermot Weld’s entrants, Galileo’s Choice and Sense Of Purpose, have received 52.5kg and 51.5kg respectively.

Today’s big race is across the Irish Sea at Listowel, where Charles Byrnes believes Bideford Legend has stamina questions to answer in the Guinness Kerry National. The seven-year-old bolted up at Killarney on his latest chase outing in May and has twice run with credit over hurdles since then. Byrnes feels his leading contender would be better suited to a quicker surface for this valuable handicap, but believes he is capable of making his presence felt. “He’s run well enough over hurdles the last twice and hopefully he goes there with a chance,” said the County Limerick handler. “The big question with him is whether he will stay the three miles.

The sole British raider is Charlie Longsdon’s Minella Boys, having his first run since pulling up in the Eider Chase at Newcastle back in February.