Chariots Of Fire puzzle completed

THE puzzle is now complete.

With pieces falling into place during the past few weeks, the field for the Chariots Of Fire has been finalised following tonight’s Paleface Adios Stake at Club Menangle.

Locally-trained pacer Hesitate sealed the first berth in the $250,000 major thanks to his victory in the Four-Year-Old Bonanza in Melton on February 14.

Proving too good for his rivals in last weekend’s Hondo Grattan Stake at Club Menangle, Double Lou became the second to qualify for Australasia’s premier four-year-old event.

Final Deadline and Seasider, which finished second and third, also earned ‘golden tickets’ in the Group One as did Miki B with his fourth.

By upstaging the ‘boys’ just moments ago, Captains Mistress guaranteed her spot in the elite assembly for trainer Jason Grimson.

Driven by Cameron Hart, Captains Mistress worked to the lead from barrier seven before registering an arrogant nine-and-a-half metre win from Sinaloa.

Victorian raider My Ultimate Barney was five metres away third.

Undefeated from five starts for Grimson, the daughter of Captaintreacherous covered the mile in a quick 1:48.9.

As such, Captains Mistress is poised to become the first mare to contest the Chariots Of Fire in five years.

Runner-up in the 2021 Hondo Grattan Stake, Stylish Memphis finished fourth in the main event as Expensive Ego claimed the victory.

It’s been 20 years since the last mare – Innocent Eyes – won the Chariots Of Fire, with only three members of the ‘fairer sex’ on the honour roll.

Lombo Rapida was the first in 2000 followed by Oaxaca Lass in 2003.

HOOFNOTE: Sinaloa, My Ultimate Barney and Fernco Nel also qualified for the Chariots Of Fire, with Soho Gunslinger rounding out the field.