Three down, one to go…it almost seems that simple!

THREE down, one to go…it almost seems that simple for Spirit Of St Louis.

Having his third Victorian start just moments ago, Spirit Of St Louis maintained his perfect interstate campaign by completing his third Cup success.

Triumphant in Bendigo’s flagship event a fortnight ago, the Belinda McCarthy-trained gelding backed up with a Shepparton Cup success the following week.

Spirit Of St Louis completed the hat-trick by capturing the Ballarat Cup against a quality field this evening.

Naturally thrilled with the five-year-old’s Group One performance, McCarthy instantly turned her attention to Spirit Of St Louis’ main target – the A G Hunter Cup – which is scheduled to be conducted at Tabcorp Park Melton on February 5.

“He has just taken it to another level since getting to Victoria,” McCarthy said. “He acquitted himself so well during the Inter Dominion last month and has thrived from the experience.

“He’s in a real zone right now and there couldn’t be a better way for him heading into the Hunter Cup in a couple of weeks.”

With in-form reinsman Jack Callaghan in the cart, Spirit Of St Louis was pushed away from the pole to lead from Max Delight before being eased to take a trail behind Lochinvar Art.

Chris Alford then pushed forward to find the front with Max Delight before Lochinvar Art was taken away from the pegs to work to the lead before Expensive Ego claim the role as pacemaker.

While this was happening Callaghan took Spirit Of St Louis to the ‘death seat’ before gaining the perfect one-on trip at the expense of Our Uncle Sam.

Four-deep at the top of the home straight, Spirit Of St Louis unleashed a strong sprint to score by a half-neck from the fast-finishing Amazing Dream.

Lochinvar Art battled on to be two-metres away third in 1:55.6 over 2710 metres.

“There were a lot of moves early and I wasn’t sure where we would end up,” Callaghan said. “Once we got into the one-one I was pretty happy and was hoping Our Uncle Sam wouldn’t hand up when Mach Da Vinci came around, which he didn’t.

“Once he was in the open at the top of the straight he finished it off brilliantly.

“We had to do it a bit different to what I expected…but I always believed in the horse!”