Alexander Beetle's new trainer Luke Oliver is excited about the top-flight sprinter having his first start for him at Sandown.The eight-year-old, who is noted for his blistering pace and for giving his supporters heart-stopping moments getting to the winning post, will resume in Wednesday's Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1000m).Oliver said that the signs were encouraging for a promising first-up run from Alexander Beetle after he scratched him from a 1000m sprint at Flemington on New Year's Day."He

Alexander Beetle's new trainer Luke Oliver is excited about the top-flight sprinter having his first start for him at Sandown.

The eight-year-old, who is noted for his blistering pace and for giving his supporters heart-stopping moments getting to the winning post, will resume in Wednesday's Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1000m).

Oliver said that the signs were encouraging for a promising first-up run from Alexander Beetle after he scratched him from a 1000m sprint at Flemington on New Year's Day.

"He had 58kg and I thought he would be better around a bend with a lighter weight," Oliver said.

"The query with him is always going to be the last 100 metres but he's working really well and Glen Boss trialled him for me at Caulfield and he's happy with him."

Boss will again ride Alexander Beetle at Sandown where the gelding has 54kg.

Rory Button, who also owns stablemate Royal Ida, bought Alexander Beetle, who was formerly trained by Daryl Cannon, last year.

The winner of six of 25 starts and placed on another nine occasions, he last raced at Albury when fifth in the Flat Knacker Handicap (900m) on March 26.

"It will be exciting to see how he goes," Oliver said.

Among his Sandown rivals are topweights Global Warning and Johnny Fiasco, and Happy Glen, who are all capable sprinters, while lightly-raced five-year-old Acorns, who has only started seven times, is a dual stakeswinner in Brisbane and makes his debut for the Mick Price stable.

Oliver said his hope was for Alexander Beetle to contest the 55-Second Challenge series which features races over 955m at Moonee Valley.

"We are hoping to run him in one of those, but he isn't eligible for any at the moment," Oliver said.

Meanwhile, the Oliver-trained Arch Pegasus has a strong form line for Wednesday's Betfair Handicap (2400m).

While the five-year-old hasn't won in the city, he shows good staying promise with wins at two of his last three starts at Wangarattaand Bairnsdale.

Sandwiched between those victories he finished fifth over 2400m to Rentarossa who went on to win the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m).

"He's been pressing though his classes really well so he looks a good chance to break through in town," Oliver said.

In-form apprentice Jason Maskiell will ride Arch Pegasus who has won five of his 23 starts.