Drawn to secure Chariots berth

VICTORIAN star Act Now has a prime opportunity to make his way into next week’s Chariots Of Fire.

A luckless fifth when first-up from an 11-week break at Tabcorp Park Melton during weekend, Act Now will make the trek north for Saturday night’s Paleface Adios Stake at Club Menangle.

The Group Two is a gateway to the ‘Chariots’, with the winner guaranteed a berth in the $200,000 feature.

A noted quick beginner, Act Now has drawn to search for the front from barrier two.

Pleased with the manner in which the four-year-old has recovered from his recent outing, trainer Emma Stewart stated Act Now will “be a major improver”.

“He was in need of the run and it has done him the world of good,” Stewart said. “In an ideal world he would have won and gone straight into the Chariots, but that’s not the case.

“He’ll be a major improver next time around, but he will need to be against such a strong field.

“The main goal is to get into the Chariots, and as long as he manages that, we will be happy.”

Stewart will also be represented by Longfellow and Beyond Delight, which have drawn gates seven and 10.

Beyond Delight was runner-up in last week’s Bonanza in Melton, while Longfellow will make his first appearance since New Year’s Eve.

“They will need some luck from the draws, but are capable of being in the finish,” Stewart said.

Stewart is no stranger to Chariots Of Fire success, having captured the Group One with Guaranteed in 2014 and Poster Boy five years later.

“The Chariots is the pinnacle event for a four-year-old and is one of those races everyone would love to have a runner in,” Stewart said.