THIS is Spirit Of St Louis' moment

The star pacer lived in the shadow of his champion stablemate King Of Swing before his retirement earlier this year.

But Spirit Of St Louis’ seconds to “The King” in two of the sport’s biggest races – the Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile – were arguably as good as the winner.

He looked every bit Australia’s next top pacer in waiting.

And his first chance to grab that title comes in Saturday night’s $355,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake (2680m) at Albion Park.

Spirit Of St Louis has won six of his past 10 starts and ran second in another three of them, all in strong company.

Although the brilliant former Kiwi has won two Group 1 races for Team McCarthy, he is winless from four starts at the absolute top level, Grand Circuit racing.

Other than a slight disappointment in the Mr Feelgood two starts back, Spirit Of St Louis has had an ideal preparation for his “Grand Final.”

“He’s come here (Brisbane) for two races. He was very unlucky in the (Group 1) Sunshine Sprint last week and now he’s got the big one this week,” co-trainer Luke McCarthy said.

“He’s right where we want him and he’s drawn well, too. He really deserves this one.”

More renowned as a speedster, Spirit Of St Louis’ booming second in February Hunter Cup over 2760m and first-up 2680m Lucky Creed win at Albion Park show this week’s 2680m won’t be an issue.

“Yes, he’s fast, but he’s versatile, too. That Inter Dominion series (late last year) was the making of him,” McCarthy said.

Despite his credentials and ideal barrier (gate three), the challengers are queuing-up for a shot at Spirit Of St Louis’ title.

Chariots Of Fire winner Better Eclipse has been a revelation and beat Spirit Of St Louis in a powerhouse performance in last week’s Sunshine Sprint.

Remember, Better Eclipse was a veteran of just 25 starts when he ran third (only 2.7 metres behind Spirit Of St Louis) in the Miracle Mile.

In contrast to last week when driver Greg Sugars owned the race by bludgeoning his way to the front, he will need some poise and luck from an awkward inside back row draw (gate eight) on Saturday night.

The most fascinating fresh face in the race is much-improved Victorian Like A Wildfire.

Co-trainer Emma Stewart said the seven-year-old “forced their hand” to fly him north for his first Grand Circuit test.

Despite a wide draw, Like A Wildfire has been crunched from $7 into $4.20 second favourite.

The race doesn’t end there with Better Eclipse’s classy stablemate Triple Eight drawn the pole, Group 1 winner Majestic Cruiser in four, flying local Turn It Up in six and lurking back-rowers Zeuss Bromac (10), Mach Shard (11) and Rockin Marty (12).

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.

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