First Chariots berth secured

RISING star Hesitate booked the first berth into the famed Chariots Of Fire thanks to his victory in Melton tonight.

By proving too good in The Bonanza, Hesitate received automatic entry into Australia's premier four-year-old event, which is scheduled to be conducted at Club Menangle on March 7.

First-up since October 18, the Luke McCarthy-trained entire rated a slick 1:51.2 over 1720 metres.

With McCarthy holding the reins, the son of Sportswriter was at the tail of the field leaving the back straight before producing a scintillating sprint to score by a metre-and-a-half from Sanchez.

Miki B was a head away third.

Naturally thrilled with the victory, McCarthy revealed Hesitate will not have another start before the Chariots Of Fire.

"That was a terrific run first-up from a break," McCarthy said. "His work had been terrific and I expected a pretty forward showing from him.

"He will certainly benefit from that, but I won't race him again before the Chariots.

"I'll likely give him a few easy days now as we head home to New South Wales and he'll have a trial at Menangle before the Chariots to sharpen him up."