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The Luke Pepper-trained Appoint Percy will fly the Canberra flag in today’s Provincial Championships Qualifier at Newcastle.

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Appoint Percy had a FU hit-out at Wagga and then ran a creditable fourth in the Qualifier at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day.

“It was the heaviest track I have ever seen”, Pepper says. “He’d come off a long layoff and third-up now I couldn’t have him in any better order.

“Tommy Berry was impressed with the Rosehill run and asked to stick with him and the horse will appreciate a better surface.”

“It’s obviously a tough assignment but he has ability and the gate favours.”

Pepper transferred to Canberra a couple of years ago with just six horses and he now has 20 in work and 30 on the books.

“I am very happy with the stable’s progress and we are building quality all the time with strong support from our owners,” he says.

The well performed Hill Spy is again being targeted at the Wagga Town Plate, following his near-miss in the event last year.

The gelding’s second-up placing behind Lofty’s Menu at Albury pleased Pepper and he says the horse is likely to have one more run before the Plate.

The stable takes a strong team to the Sapphire Coast on Friday headed by the two Zar’s.

Pepper says She Zar will be improved off her placing in the Flat Knacker at Albury and enjoys the track and wet conditions.

“Erins Zar grows another leg in the wet and has pulled up well off the Albury third-up placing.

“He’s a big lanky type and still a bit immature but his work has been super and he will have plenty of options over the winter months.”

Canberra Apprentice Jody Hughes will have her first race-ride aboard when she’s legged up on Pepper’s A Little Mixed Up in the CL1.

The gelding won first up at Orange at his first start for Pepper and then pulled up with an issue and will be resuming off a long spell.

“He’s a gross type who is hard to get fit, but he’s in good order and will go well racing on the speed.

“Jody is a hard worker and deserves her chance.”