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By Tony Megahey

Emerging talent Mitchell Beer is broadening his horizons and Albury stables for booming NSW prizemoney increases and is targeting the Highway series and Country Cups with select international gallopers.

Albury trainer Mitchell Beer (Pic: Bradley Photos)

Kiwi import Mr Trump brings the convincing form of three race wins and upside into a Rosehill Gardens TAB $75,000 Highway (1800m) on Saturday and Beer has more international flavour to follow with young English galloper Perfect Illusion soon to debut.

Beer, 33, follows up a resilient Sapphire Coast 1600m win high in confidence with Mr Trump to be ridden again by Jordan Mallyon with 59kg in the Class 3 Plate.

“He’s going enormous and was inexpensive considering he’s lightly raced, three from 11 and so much progression,” Beer, in his second season training from Albury, said.

“We also went to England and bought an early winner Perfect Illusion who will be out of quarantine soon and we’re looking at others.

“But, for this gelding, the Sapphire race was the first time this prep I thought he’d run a big race. He really dug in, he wanted all of 1600m and he’s come on super.

“Out to 1800m at this stage is ideal, because he’s bred to get 2000m or further.

“It’s capacity runners, we’re drawn okay so we’ll be looking to slot in midfield and Jordan to get him out at the right time.”

Beer is looking at increasing stable numbers and attracting additional owners.

“We’re looking for more imports on staying lines and trying to attract new clients,'' he said.

“The Highway series and the prizemoney are a fantastic incentives.

“Racing for top money and an opportunity for country owners a day on the big stage in Sydney that they don’t normally get.

“But I like this gelding. If you were looking for the trackwork and progression from his last start win, Jordan (Mallyon) said that’s what we got this week. “

Beer started his career with prolific owner Lloyd Williams, then Russell Cameron, Jason Warren and finally Max Hinton before going it alone.

The winners have been regular enough with Mitch’s highlight training a Melbourne Group 3 winner with Almighty Girl in the 2016 Typhoon Tracy.

Beer will be targeting the massive increases in Country Cups and Mr Trump will be set for his locals.

“Our Albury Cup and the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup are now $200,000 races, and those feature race increases are spread across NSW,'' he said.

“So for country trainers, staff and owners NSW is far superior to anywhere in Australia or in New Zealand. This gelding was racing for ten grand over there, so there’s the reasoning we got him for the right price.

“We’re in the market for progressive types, hopefully from Highways to progress to those Country Cups.''

Mr Trump wins at Sapphire Coast on July 28

And who knows, a city grader might develop.

“We’re mainly focusing on the staying ranks where there’s genuine opportunity. My only disappointment is I’d set my good mare Gwenneth for that $1.3 Million Kosciuszko but she went amiss and is retired,'' he said.

Back to Mr Trump and Beer is adamant the extra distance on Saturday is ideal.

“He was ready at Sapphire and he’s come on for Saturday,'' he said.

“I can only come up with a few chances. Black Wand looks the hardest to beat and Onemore Sapphire.”

Black Wand was beaten in a Highway photo two weeks ago off an Eagle Farm win and that’s a guaranteed form line for prolific series winner Matthew Dunn.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill Gardens meeting