Bulletproof Boy snatches last gasp win in Bendigo Cup

Evergreen harness racing pacer Bulletproof Boy (Art Official) caused somewhat of an upset when took out the $75,000 Group 2 Bendigo Pacing Cup at Bendigo last night. His win also continued the incredible success of young driver James Herbertson who is set for another bumper season of winners.

The ten year old gelding was having his 202^nd race start coming off the back of a Christmas Cup win at Globe Derby on 19 December.

While kept safe in the betting, Bulletproof Boy was not expected to trouble the odds on favourite Tact Macleod.

Anthony Butt on Tact Macleod was able to take the lead without too much effort and looked to be travelling well within himself in the final lap. Butt had every reason to feel confident as Tact Macleod put a gap between himself and his rivals. However he started to shorten stride and from the emerging pack Bulletproof Boy who had been three wide early on finished brilliantly to just nail Tact Macleod on the line with Ultimate Vinnie also finishing on for third placing.

Bulletproof Boy has been a grand performer for his trainer Scott Ewen.

A delighted James Herbertson was full of praise for Bulletproof Boy.

“You have to favour the outside a little bit and I was hopeful I had won. I’ll put it that way. But he’s just a legend isn’t he? I don’t know how old he is this year but he’s probably racing at the peak of his powers and to do mid based work when they were bowling and still hit the line the way he did.

He’s just a credit to Scotty Ewen and the team. The team at home you know they get him going as good as they have for as long as they have. I don’t know how they’ve done it. He just turns up week in week out and he’s got that electrifying speed and he’s tough he’s just the perfect race horse”.

Trainer Scott Ewen was equally thrilled.

“I really want to have a crack at the Hunter Cup and I think he’s gone good enough tonight. He gets better with age. He’s just a gem.”

Bulletproof Boy will have an army of loyal supporters if he turns up for the $250,000 AG Hunter Cup on 1 February.

While Tact Macleod appeared to have every chance he wasn’t disgraced but he will face a tougher field if connections decide to take on the Hunter Cup.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink