Another four pieces added to Chariots puzzle

NOW there are five.

Following tonight's Hondo Grattan Stake at Club Menangle, another four pieces have been added to the Chariots Of Fire puzzle.

Locally-trained pacer Hesitate became the first pacer to seal a berth in the Group One thanks to his victory in the Four-Year-Old Bonanza in Melton last weekend.

Proving too good for his rivals this evening, Double Lou became the second to qualify for Australasia's premier four-year-old event.

By finishing second and third, Final Deadline and Seasider also earned 'golden tickets' in the $250,000 feature as did Miki B with his fourth.

Naturally pleased with Double Lou's performance, trainer Bailey McDonough revealed the son of Sweet Lou will be kept fresh ahead of the March 7 showdown.

"He has run three solid miles over the last three weeks, so he will have a few easy days now," McDonough said. "He won't go around again before the Chariots.

"I'll just keep him ticking along at home between now and then."

With McDonough in the cart, Double Lou worked to the lead from barrier eight on his way to covering the mile in 1:50.

"I was very happy with his run," McDonough said. "He's run the first quarter in 25.6 seconds before coming home in 26.3, so he has worked at both ends.

"It got close on the line as the runner-up had momentum, but he was still feeling strong."

A second qualifier - Paleface Adios Stake - is programmed for next Saturday night, with the first four also gauranteed Chariots Of Fire starts.

The final position in the elite field will be decided by which of the two runners that finished fifth in the qualifiers has the highest earnings from their last five starts.

Sinaloa, was fifth tonight, has bankrolled $39,400.