Herbertson’s correct call in Ballarat Cup

Ace harness racing driver James Herbertson showed his judgement was spot on when he guided veteran pacer Bulletproof Boy (Art Official) to an all the way win in the $100,000 Group 2 Woodlands Stud Ballarat Pacing Cup last night at the Bray Raceway.

Earlier in the week he had to choose between Mach Dan, Kanena Provlima who he won the Shepparton Cup in the previous week and Bendigo cup winner Bulletproof Boy whom he eventually opted for.

The race was virtually won at the start when Bulletproof Boy successfully held the lead despite a strong early challenge from Mach Dan who was then forced to race outside the leader.

Hector who has been knocking at the door to win a big race took the trail behind the leader with the Shepparton Cup winner Kanena Provlima securing the one out and one back trail.

That’s virtually how the race stayed throughout and there were no challenges forthcoming. Bulletproof Boy cleared away on the final bend but Hector started to gather in the leader. Bulletproof Boy started to shift out under pressure but Hector could not gather him in and failed by just over a metre with Perfect Class finishing from back in the field for third.

However there was drama immediately following the race as Jordan Leedham on Hector fired in a protest as he claimed that he had to stop driving his horse when Bulletproof Boy shifted out. Although the stewards did find that Bulletproof Boy had shifted out and cautioned Herbertson they did not consider it serious enough and dismissed the objection.

Herbertson reflected on the protest and having to go into the stewards room.

“I’ve been a bit numb, it takes a bit of the shine because you have stress before you get some sense of accomplishment. He’s a real warrior Bulletproof Boy a ten year old and racing the best he has. I can’t thank Scott Ewen (trainer) enough for giving me the opportunity.”

“As a local even at this moment It hasn’t sunk in. At the top of my list, the Ballarat Cup was a race I wanted to win. It’s a time honoured race just look at the horses and people who have won it. All of my memories are here at Ballarat. It’s like a second home, and been a big part of my life.”

On the protest hearing Herbertson stated

“I really went in with a negative mindset but came out with a great result. The margin was enough, we did shift out but not enough so the end result was satisfactory.”

Questioned on his impending drive in the Hunter Cup Herbertson commented

“It’s hard to get off Bulletproof Boy he’s won both a Bendigo and Ballarat Cup. But I also have other horses to consider. At the end of the day we’ll have a couple of weeks away”.

Herbertson’s win completed a clean sweep of three of the biggest Country Cups on the Victorian scene namely Bendigo, Shepparton and now Ballarat.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink