Bennett takes diligent approach Leading driver Greg Bennett will need all his skill if he is to win his first Chariots Of Fire at Harold Park on Friday night with Be Diligent in the group 1 feature event for four-year-olds.

The Queensland pacer, an excluded-from-the-draw horse, will start from the outside of the elite field, giving Bennett little option at the start.

"I think we will have to go back from the draw and hope the speed is on," he said. "He is a pretty smart type and I think he just needs a touch of luck to be in the finish. It's my best chance to win one of the big ones: the Chariots or the Miracle Mile.

"I have won a [NSW] derby and premierships at Harold Park but these are the races you want to win because they are the ones everyone talks about."

Be Diligent is a $14 chance with TAB Sportsbet in a market headed by Melpark Major at $2.30. The other early invitee Lombo Pocket Watch is $3.80 with Paleface Adios Sprint winner Ebony Gem rated a $6 chance.

"The way the draw has worked out has probably guaranteed a fair bit of speed," Bennett said. "Melpark Major [in gate seven] and Lombo Pocket Watch [eight] are going to have to get going early.

"I can't see Ebony Gem keeping the front because I nearly crossed him on Napattack Jack last week.

"Keayang Hanover is very quick off the gate and should lead but the more speed on the better for me because by fellow is very strong."

  Fitzpatrick goes for gold Premier NSW trainer Paul Fitzpatrick will be at Moonee Valley on Friday night for the Australian Pacing Gold Finals for three-year-olds, rather than watching stable star Lombo Pocket Watch in the Chariots Of Fire.

"It was a hard decision because we will have five horses down here in the finals, but there are 10 going round at Harold Park, including [Lombo] Pocket Watch," Fitzpatrick said. "It's really poor timing to have two big meetings on the same night but nothing can be done because this all happened following EI and it will only be for this year.