Grand old campaigner gets a Victoria Cup start

Scott Ewen’s grand old harness racing campaigner Bulletproof Boy (Art Official) has been granted a start in the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup after trainer Emma Stewart withdrew Honolua Bay from the great race this morning.

Stewart cited veterinary reasons for the scratching of this year’s A. G. Hunter Cup champion, who was set to be one of five runners from the Cardigan stable.

Honolua Bay would have been first-up from March’s Mircacle Mile, but his omission means Bulletproof Boy gains a place in the field he so narrowly missed when named emergency by HRV handicappers earlier this week.

Ewen, who is based at the Cranbourne training centre, said he was working horses when he found out the news.

“I came off the track and nearly fell out of the cart,” he said.

“I was still disappointed they didn’t give him a run, but at the end of the day we are there now so that’s the main thing.”

Ewen said it was great to be back in a Victoria Cup after finishing down the track in eighth position from a second row draw last year. That race was won by Rock N Roll Doo, with Honolua Bay the runner-up.

Last weekend’s Smoken Up Sprint winner will leave from barrier two on Saturday night, one spot outside the Jess Tubbs-trained and Greg Sugars-driven Better Eclipse.

“He gets his chance. He’s drawn two. Greg won’t like it, but I think I can nearly get to the fence and go from there,” he said.

“You’ve got to have a real crack and see what happens… hopefully get behind something pretty good and get a good trip.

“Last year he drew nine and was out the back. It doesn’t matter who you are, it’s too hard from back there.

“He’s definitely going better now than he was then. He gets his chance to maybe run a hole with luck or in the first five even.”

Leap To Fame remains the $2.10 fixed odds favourite for the Victoria Cup, which will be shown on Sky Racing, at TrotsVision.com.au and on Racing.com’s free-to-air channels 78 and 68.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria