Fresh from receiving his trophy as Sydney's premier apprentice during the week, Daniel Ganderton has been given the welcome news he will be riding striking chestnut Battlefield in the spring.Ganderton said Battlefield's trainer Paul Messara told him the four-year-old's spring campaign was likely to commence with the Group Two The Shorts (1200m) at Randwick on October 3.Then it's off to Melbourne for the Salinger Stakes over the same distance at Flemington on October 31."Paul said the plan is to

Fresh from receiving his trophy as Sydney's premier apprentice during the week, Daniel Ganderton has been given the welcome news he will be riding striking chestnut Battlefield in the spring.

Ganderton said Battlefield's trainer Paul Messara told him the four-year-old's spring campaign was likely to commence with the Group Two The Shorts (1200m) at Randwick on October 3.

Then it's off to Melbourne for the Salinger Stakes over the same distance at Flemington on October 31.

"Paul said the plan is to probably run him in The Shorts and I would be his rider," Ganderton said.

"It's great news and I'm so grateful to Paul and the connections for giving me this opportunity.

"He's a very exciting horse who has the world at his feet with the turn of foot he possesses.

"Fingers crossed everything stays in place and he can stay sound because he's got a big future ahead of him and I'd like to be a part of it.

"I'm pretty chuffed that Paul is sticking with me. I've had a lot of success with the stable."

Messara and Ganderton, who is indentured to Gai Waterhouse, are a proven combination in their short time together.

Ganderton has won his last two starts aboard Battlefield in the Listed Ascot Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm and the Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton in July.

On the same day he booted home Battlefield at Eagle Farm he also won on the Messara-trained Savoia.

To cap off a great day Ganderton followed up his win on Battlefield at Eagle Farm with a victory aboard Cape Breton in the Queensland Cup.

Ganderton was lured from Tasmania in March last year by Waterhouse but things haven't always gone smoothly for him.

A couple of months ago he was given a suspended sentence in lieu of an immediate suspension for his attitude at a stewards inquiry where he laughed at a question at an inquiry into his tactics on a ride at Rosehill.

No action was taken over his ride, but Ganderton was handed a one-month ban, suspended for 12 months, after being found guilty of improper or insulting behaviour.

Ganderton said he was working with sports psychologist Grant Brecht.

"I've just been putting my head down and working as hard as I possibly can and the rewards are starting to come," Ganderton said.