Kembla preview: Trainer Mitch Beer has specifically targeted his local Championship Qualifier with a pair of track specialists

A long term plan to wait his the Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier on his home turf with a pair of track specialists can pay big dividends for trainer Mitch Beer.

Apollo Mission is primed for a big performance in the Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier at Kembla. Picture: Bradley Photos

It was last November when trainer Mitch Beer started mapping out a preparation for both Apollo Mission and Artful Persuasion to be primed for this weekend.

Beer regarded the pair as ideal candidates for the Provincial-Midway Championships and focused on his home track Qualifier (1400m) as the perfect path to get to the final.

Everything has gone to plan so far and Beer feels both horses are ready to perform at their best after pleasing in their respective first-up runs.

“For Apollo Mission and Artful Persuasion, everything has been centred around this race from the time they went to the paddock at the end of last preparation,” said Beer.

“This race was always going to be their second-up run and their first-up runs has really got them ready for this.

A huge fist up win for APOLLO MISSION.
He's come a long way since coming to @kemblaraces & looks set for a terrific preparation. pic.twitter.com/RVlrVVMmcP

— mitchellbeer (@beermitchell) August 10, 2024

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“They both have good second-up form and their Kembla records are terrific.”

Apollo Mission resumed with a nice closing fifth behind Mafia over 1250m at Canterbury on February 28.

After settling six lengths off the leader, the gelding was beaten just over a length giving away weight to three of the four head of him.

“I thought it was one of his career best runs first-up with a big weight.” he said.

“He had to get out wide in a slowly run race and his last 100m was exceptional.

“Grant (Buckley) got off and said he wants to ride this horse wherever he went next.

“He has got a terrific record at Kembla winning three of his four runs here and beaten a nose in the other.

“He should get a good, genuinely run 1400m, the gate is ideal because he will be in the back half of the field and if he lets go like he did the other day, he should be right there at the finish.”

Artful Persuasion performed similarly at Kembla first-up when making ground to be sixth behind Sizzler also giving away significant weight to those who finished in front of him.

“He was first-up over 1300m with a big weight off one trial,” Beer said.

“He goes into this race over 1400m where he is far better suited and he maps really well from a good gate.

It's a smart debut for the @beermitchell trained Artful Persuasion!@AnthonyManton's best of the day does it easily. pic.twitter.com/fVPv3LEeoM

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 19, 2024

“These two horses lead the brigade for our runners and I’m pretty happy with how they are going.”

Beer will also saddle up the two outsiders of the field in Salonius and Zipitalist.

The pair finished second and third respectively behind Fourcade over at Goulburn on February 23.

“I have been wanting to get Salonius up to 1400m but he has had difficulty settling in his races,” he said.

“I think a fast run 1400m in a big field is what he needs and he should get that this weekend.

“Whether he’s got the class to win, we will see but I certainly think if the race pans out as I suspect, he will run really well.

“It’s a horse race and anything can happen.”

Zipitalist was a winner over 1300m at Newcastle last preparation when he beat Spirit Of Storm and Buba and should have no trouble with the 1400m.

“I’ve just had no luck with him. He missed the start the other day and flew home when the race was all over,” he said.

“He will go back from gate 14 and hopefully they go hard. If he catches all the breaks and flies home, then fair enough.

“Again, he only has to walk across the road for this race and I’m happy to give him his chance.”