Can I make another release instead of an original Availability Date?

I do see there is an "Availability Date" option. Which could work, but I need confirmation on the way I intend to use it:

1. Set availability date far in the future (12 months) and submit my release ALPHA1 to app store
2. Once I see my app is approved, then I will continue with normal development and make a release BETA2 5 days later
3. I would want the BETA2 release to go live immediately and for the ALPHA1 release in the future to never occur.