NSW raider ready for Nullarbor

Prominent owner Aaron Bain has warned WA harness racing rivals will have to be at the top of their game to stop eastern states raider Spirit Of St Louis (Sweet Lou) from taking home the $1 million Nullarbor prize on April 14.

Spirit Of St Louis will represent Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock in the 10-horse field at Gloucester Park.

Bain says the six-year-old gelding has proved himself against elite opposition and deserves to be the current pre-race favourite.

He was responding to comments by leading WA trainer Gary Hall snr about the bonafides of Spirit Of St Louis in The West Australian newspaper during the week.

Hall, the master of big race preparation, has had likely Nullarbor runners Diego and Jumpingjackmac in brilliant form over the summer.

“We are bringing a seasoned horse who has raced with success in Group 1 company in three states in the last 12 months,” Bain said.

“Could Jumpingjackmac finish second in a Miracle Mile? I guess we will find out in about a month.

“Spirit Of St Louis has gate speed and if he draws inside he will likely hold them and find his way to the front.

“But his incredible point-to-point speed means he does not have to lead to win at Gloucester Park.

“He is a seasoned traveller and the flight organised by RWWA means it will only take a few hours to get to WA. Somewhat quicker than a float trip to Melbourne.”

Spirit Of St Louis finished a close second to Catch A Wave in the $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 4 in a 1:48.4sec milerate. They ran the final 800m in 54.1sec.

The son of Sweet Lou ran second to King Of Swing in the race last year.

He has won the Schweppes Sprint, a Miracle Mile lead-up race, two years straight.

In 2022, he won the Bendigo, Shepparton and Ballarat cups before finishing second in Victoria’s toughest staying race, the 2760m AG Hunter Cup, as a relatively inexperienced five-year-old.

He finished a gallant sixth in the AG Hunter Cup this year after he led and was pressured throughout the race. He has earnt $970,000 in stakes.

“The horse is knocking on the door to win a $1 million dollar race,” Bain said.

“He is versatile and will be suited to Gloucester Park. We have no concerns about the 2500m.

“He ran second in the Hunter Cup last year. He copped a lot of pressure this year and still finished only 13m from the winner.”

Belinda McCarthy trains Spirit Of St Louis and her reinsman husband Luke will accompany the horse to WA. They fly out on April 4.

He is usually driven by 21-year-old gun Jack Callaghan, who has driven almost 500 winners of more than $5 million in stakes in just five seasons.

“I am not sure if Jack will stick with him or Luke will take the reins. Those things will be worked out as we go. He will be stabled at Greg and Skye Bond’s,” he said.

“He is unlikely to race again before the Nullarbor.

“We plan to bring 40-plus people over for the race and we have hired the president’s room on the night, to give our owners the complete experience, so we have a lot on the line. Be sure, we are playing for keeps.”

WA stars Lavra Joe and Magnificent Storm are two of the local hopes accepted for the Nullarbor. There are seven slots to be filled.

Lavra Joe showed he was close to his best with a blistering trial win at Pinjarra on Thursday afternoon.

by Rick Lee, for RWWA