Louis secures his spot in $1million Miracle Mile

What a way to break your Menangle maiden, in a Miracle Mile qualifier!

That is the story of in-form pacer Spirit Of St Louis who broke his own personal record clocking 1:48.2 to win the $100,000 Group 1 Schweppes Sprint tonight.

The Sweet Lou gelding had six previous starts at the 1400m circuit without success, however, this victory sees the five-year-old gain an automatic invitation to the $1million Miracle Mile on March 5.

To say reinsman Jack Callaghan was excited would be an understatement.

“What an awesome little horse,” said Callaghan.

“That was a big performance.

“He was dead-set cruising the whole way and has got such a good sprint and can carry that for some distance.

“He’s in absolutely outstanding form.”

Callaghan and Spirit Of St Louis have been on a great ride together of late winning the Bendigo, Shepparton and Ballarat Cups plus a second in the Hunter Cup.

Tonight the pair began from barrier five and Callaghan urged his drive forward.

The first quarter was 26.6 seconds and the dynamic duo gained cover while the next three sectionals were 27.2, 27.0 and 27.4 seconds.

Callaghan angled Spirit Of St Louis into the clear in the home straight and the pair went on to win by more than four metres over Majestic Cruiser who also gains a spot in the Miracle Mile.

Last week’s Terang Cup winner Like A Wildfire was third.

Spirit Of St Louis is trained by Belinda McCarthy.

To view the results from Menangle on Saturday click here.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink