defeating Paleface Adios and Royal Force. Following a sixth and last place in the Miracle Mile Pace, and a win in the BP Marathon, Pure Steel tried to make up for his second place in the 1976 Interdominion to Carclew at Albion Park in Brisbane. However he finished unplaced in the final. The 1977–78 season cemented Pure Steel's name amongst the great horses of Australian harness racing. He began the season by winning the Whirlwind Sprint at Moonee Valley in a quick 1:58.5, finished second in the Winfield Cup, also at Moonee Valley, and second in the Kilmore Cup. He then travelled to Adelaide for the Australian Pacing Championship where he won both his heats but could only finish third behind new star Rip Van Winkle in the final. In January Pure Steel won the Western Australian Pacing Cup for the second consecutive year, this time breaking the race record. The following month he travelled to Melbourne for the Hunter Cup and was successful in recording a remarkable staying performance. Pure Steel sat without cover outside of leader Rip Van Winkle for most of the 2800m but won convincingly in track record time. 'The gutsiest thing on four legs' said driver Ted Demmler. The race is still regarded by many as one of the greatest ever run at Moonee Valley The 1978 Interdominion was the first Interdominion series entirely run from behind the mobile barrier. Pure Steel was strongly favoured at 6/4 for the final before the series began but contracted a virus and did not make the final. After winning the consolation race he headed to Sydney and defeated Paleface Adios in the Miracle Mile. By the end of the season he was leading Australian stakeswinner for the second straight year and the 1977/8 Grand Circuit Champion. Pure Steel began 1978/9 with a second to Koala King in the Winfield Cup and a third from a 35m handicap in the Kilmore Cup. But after a record third win in the Western Australian Pacing Cup defeating Koala King, and a win over local star Nevada Smoke in the South Australian Pacing Cup, he missed the remainder of the big races that season due to injury. Despite the injury he still passed Paleface Adios to become Australian harness racings leading stakeswinner. Only having a limited preparation, he contested the 1980 Western Australian Pacing Cup series and was beaten by new rival