The Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 8 is set to be the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival target for promising galloper Beauty’s Beast.

Beauty's Beast won the South Pacific Classic in impressive fashion during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Photo by: Steve Hart

Beauty’s Beast joined the stable of Danny O’Brien, after previously being prepared by David Greene in New Zealand, and the Guillotine gelding made his first public appearance for his new trainer in a barrier trial over 990 metres at Cranbourne yesterday.

The four-year-old took up the running in the early stages of the trial and he led throughout to record an impressive barrier trial victory from Escado, Nautical and Politeness.

O’Brien told Racing Victoria that he was happy with the performance of Beauty’s Beast in the barrier trial and he confirmed that the Listed winner would be aimed at the Emirates Stakes during his spring preparation.

“He’s a promising lightly-raced horse that we’re hoping we can get into Stakes company in the Spring,” O’Brien said.

“His rating means he’ll still get in on the minimum in an open handicap so we’ll kick him off on the September 20 at Caulfield in 1400m open handicap.

“If he’s progressing the right way then he’s a horse that we might look at aiming towards the Emirates Stakes on the last day of the Carnival.

“At the moment he’s still two or three wins away from even getting a run in a Group 1 handicap so we’ll give him the opportunity to do that during the spring and hopefully he’ll get there, but if not then there’s still the autumn to come.”

Beauty’s Beast made his racing debut at Ruakaka in June of last year and recorded just one win in his first four starts before being sent to the spelling paddock.

The talented gelding returned to the races with a narrow win in The Edge Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie on February 12 and he finished second in The New Zealand Herald Handicap (1200m) at the same venue on March 8 before being sent to Australia after scoring two straight wins in the Triton Pacific Owens Plate (1300m) at Tauranga on March 22 and the Towes Insurance Brokers Handicap (1400m) at Te Aroha.

Beauty’s Beast made his Australian racing debut in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 19 and he stamped himself as a horse to watch with a dominant all the way win over the likes of Woodbine and Engagement.

O’Brien has not had a runner in the Emirates Stakes since Vigor finished seventh behind All American in the 2009 edition of the race.