Chariots Of Fire contender Band On The Run tuned up for Friday's $A20,000 Paleface Adios Sprint by surprising trainer Cran Dalgety with a slick final 400m in 26.6s at the Addington workouts on Monday, July 19.

"He blew up over the back a bit, so he'll be better for it," said Cran.

"We only really wanted a strong 600m. That will tidy him up between now and getting on the plane at 6.30am on Tuesday, then racing at Menangle on Friday."

The Benny Hill-trained Harley Earl and Band On The Run are both jetting over for the Paleface Adios Sprint in order to earn their stripes for the $A200,000 Chariots.

Photo: Band On The Run stretches out strongly for trainer Cran Dalgety near the end of his Addington workout on Monday. Holme Grown (Greg Hope) tried hard to run him down from the trail, getting within a neck at the line.

They are drawn beside each other with Band On The Run drawing barrier five, and Harley Earl, six. Leading Aussie contenders will be former Templeton pacer (Mister) Zion, from gate four, and Captain Joy, from barrier 10 (likely to start from nine after an emergency comes out). The Stallion Station-sponsored Paleface Adios Sprint starts at 10.30pm (NZ time).

Band On The Run showed good gate speed on Monday to lead the three horse workout in the hands of Cran, then eased the speed in the middle stages to run 3:20.5 (2:04 mile rate) for the full 2600m.

However, he looked in good fettle stretching out over his last 800m in 57.1s and 400m in 26.6s.

Top New South Wales driver Greg Bennett has been booked to drive Band On The Run in Friday's Chariots qualifer.  The first five going through to the $200,000 Chariots Of Fire for 4YO pacers at Menangle on Friday Week, July 30.

Champion NZ driver Dexter Dunn, who returns from holiday to drive at Addington on Thursday, will rein Band On The Run next week in the Chariots.