Classy four year old Double Lou (Sweet Lou) enhanced his credentials for the Group 1
$250,000 Chariots of Fire in a fortnight with a narrow but deserved win in the Group 3
Biowarma Hondo Grattan Stakes at Menangle on Saturday evening.

The winner of the 3YO Breeders Challenge last season, Double Lou has notably improved
this preparation.

Not bustled up early Double Lou was allowed time to settle down by driver Bailey
McDonough while Soho Gunslinger and the Queenslander Fernco Nel went hard early which
contributed to the first quarter of 25.6 seconds. McDonough then seized the moment to
make a sprint for the lead and he headed off Soho Gunslinger while Fernco Nel had no luck
still sitting outside the leader.

DOUBLE LOU 21 FEB REPLAY

The other Queenslander Final Decision had a one out and two back trail.
Double Lou kicked away on straightening and appeared to have his rivals off the bit.
However Final Decision was being wound up and he made a late lunge to just fail by a short
half head. Seaside who at one stage was second last sprouted wings down the home
straight and he finished a close third a credible effort being an outsider.

Double Lou ran 1.50 exactly including a 26.3 seconds final quarter.

Final Deadline lost no friends in his narrow defeat. Seasider whose biggest success prior to
last night was the TAB Regional Final at Bathurst has shown rapid improvement over time so
his invitation to the Chariots is well earned.

The first four placegetters qualified for the Chariots of Fire and amongst the group will be
Miki B who finished fourth.

At this stage favourite for the Chariots of Fire is the freakish mare Captains Mistress and
those that performed in the Hondo Grattan will need to up their game to have any
prospects of troubling Captains Mistress.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink