Both Spirit Of St Louis and trainer Graeme Anderson went into yesterday's Gore meeting with fresh legs and they both performed accordingly.
Anderson's stable had been through a very quiet period over the winter while he recuperated from a hip operation.
The strike-rate trainer announced his return in impressive style when producing Spirit Of St Louis for a strong front-running win for driver Matthew Williamson in his first career start.
Anderson admitted it was not hard to get back into the training sulky when he had talented horses to work.
"He has got a bit of quality about him," the trainer said.
"He didn't race at 2 and there is not much of him, but he has got plenty of quality about him."
"He has got the breeding, plenty of speed and a good gait."
Spirit Of St Louis is a half-sister by Sweet Lou to prolific Western Australian winner Dracarys.
He was bred by Trevor Casey, who races the horse with many of the same owners as Eamon Maguire. Eamon Maguire was out of action for much of the latter half of last season with a knee problem.
It is expected the horse will return to racing from Anderson's stable later this season.
Spirit Of St Louis could be aimed at better races if he continues the excellent start he has made to his career.
"He is nominated for everything, like the Sires Stakes, so we will see whether we will aim him at that," Anderson said.
Spirit Of St Louis cornered like a greyhound when turning for home and kicked strongly to win.
The 3yr-old had plenty of practice on the Gore track after trialling and training there recently.
"I brought him down a couple of weeks ago to trial at Gore and I left him down here with Tony Stratford because all the trials have been at Gore," Anderson said.
"He has done great with him."
Anderson has five horses in work at his Forbury Park stable.
