Exciting 3yr-old Spirit Of St Louis faces a stern test early in his career at Forbury Park tomorrow.
The Graeme Anderson-trained pacer impressed when beating a field of up-and-comers on debut at Gore last weekend.
His front-running effort got a big tick of approval from his driver, Matthew Williamson.
"It was very impressive," he said.
"His run was super and he rattled off a really nice [last 800m] and he showed good gate speed, too."
Spirit Of St Louis looked slightly vulnerable early in the run home before he found another gear and dashed away from his opposition to score.
Williamson said it was a case of the horse bringing a very laid-back attitude to the track.
"That is why his trials have just looked OK, and then he sharpened up on race day when he was asked for it. I would say, with a few more starts, he will sharpen up even more."
Spirit Of St Louis faces a big leap in race conditions in his second career start tomorrow.
The inexperienced pacer will square off with rugged veterans Aveross Rustler and Four Starzz Shiraz, as well as new season performer Arden Roanoke.
Although he concedes a lot of experience to his rivals, Spirit Of St Louis will have a draw advantage over his main rivals when he starts from barrier 3.
Williamson hopes that good draw and the 3yr-old's class can help him beat his rivals.
"Because he has got a bit of class he can probably still win it," the reinsman said.
"With the draw, of course - which is the only thing in his favour - if he gets his own way or a couple of cheap sectionals, they won't make any ground from behind him if he rattles off a 56sec [final 800m] again."
Aveross Rustler looks the best-placed of Spirit Of St Louis' main rivals to land near the speed from barrier 7.
Four Starzz Shirazz starts from the outside of the front line in barrier 8 and Arden Roanoke will start from the inside of the second row in barrier 9.
The Cran Dalgety and Nathan Purdon-trained Arden Roanoke will give Spirit Of St Louis plenty of competition if driver Matt Anderson can work the 4yr-old into clear running.
The pacer is aiming for a hat-trick of wins after his brilliant victory at Oamaru last weekend.
Williamson also drives With The Stars in race 3 for the Anderson stable.
The reinsman rated Hannity in race 7 alongside Spirit Of St Louis in race 9 as one of his best drives at Forbury Park tomorrow.
"The start will be the only thing with him - he has been a good beginner, but he missed away last start," Williamson said.
"If he got away on terms, to be honest I would be disappointed if he got beaten ... He has dropped back a long way in grade."
Williamson also drives Huckabee, whom he rates as a place chance in race 4, for the Harrison stable.
The Oamaru driver also combines with Cuddly Trouble in race 1, Maldito in race 2 and Solsbury Hill in race 8.
Williamson rated Cuddly Trouble, who starts from a 30m handicap, the best chance among that trio.
"If she could step away and make up that 30m, I definitely think she is an each-way chance," he said.
• Additional information for meetings today. -
Hawke's Bay RI
Scratchings
Race 1: Magic Ivan, Call Me Jack
Race 2: Last Sight
Race 4: Swords Drawn
Race 5: Jennifer Eccles
Race 6: Rufus Ruffcut
Race 10: Meteoric Lass
Weather, cloudy; track, dead 5; rail in true position.
Whangarei RC
Riders
Race 7: Orakei Overlord - Erin Leighton
Race 8: Dr Velocious - Ashvin Goindasamy
Scratchings
Race 4: Divine Dive
Race 5: Light Shadow
Race 8: Mr Big
Weather, fine; track, dead5, rail out 2.5m.
