3 minute read

The connections of talented sprinter And Beyond are hoping the gelding can secure a berth in the upcoming Newmarket Handicap by winning at his next start to improve his rating.

In Brief

• And Beyond impresses with Longford trial win.
• Connections accept for the Goodwood in Hobart on Sunday.
• Rating needs to be higher to guarantee a Newmarket start.

And Beyond looked good in winning a 700-metre trial in Longford on Tuesday, scoring by a length over Coronation Keith with War Correspondent almost two lengths away third.

The gelded son of Wordsmith hasn't raced since finishing well down the track in a BM78 at Caulfield in late July, after which he was sent for a spell.

"We'll accept with And Beyond for the Goodwood Handicap in Hobart on Sunday but there is a benchmark 76 handicap in Launceston next Wednesday as a back-up in case we decide not to run on Sunday," trainer Tanya Hanson said.

"We need to get him some more rating points to get him into the Newmarket, but whichever race we go to he will be very competitive.

"He always gets a bit stirred up when we trial him here at Longford because it is so close to his stable, but as he showed today, he in very good condition and ready to race."

Coronation Keith missed the start by three lengths but had tacked on at the top of the straight and rider Troy Baker took the short way home along the rails to get within a half-length of the winner before easing up.

War Correspondent shared the lead and was only cuddled over the final 100m as it was his first hit-out since returning from an interstate campaign.

Unbeaten three-year-old Alpine Wolf also looked impressive in winning his trial over highly rated filly Queenborough Flyer.

Alpine Wolf raced outside of the leader Gee Gee Raindrops before rider Daniel Ganderton released the reins slightly and he forged to the front, while smart filly Queenborough Flyer burrowed along the rails to join him.

The pair engaged in a battle for a short while, but Ganderton just gave his charge a squeeze and he moved clear on the line.

Alpine Wolf is unbeaten from two starts, the first when in the care of Mark Ganderton who guided the son of Alpine Eagle to an effortless win on debut in a late two-year-old maiden in Devonport in June.

The gelding was then transferred to Barry Campbell who presented him in mid-July in Devonport for another effortless win, this time in a 2YO handicap over 1009m which he won by a length from Coeur De Lyon.

"We haven't knocked him around and he's been coming along steadily, but I thought he trialed really well today," Campbell said.

"I thought he was getting better on the line, so that's a good sign."