Every once in a while, a competitor comes along that defies the odds, defies logic and fulfils an incredible dream.
One such case which springs to mind is George Foreman, who captured the greatest title in the whole world – the Heavyweight Championship belt – in 1973, before retiring from the ring in 1977.
Almost two decades later, Foreman, at 46 years and 169 days old, became the oldest world heavyweight champion in history when he defied logic to regain the belt in 1995.
Fast forward to Melton’s mega meeting on Saturday night and harness racing’s underdog, Bulletproof Boy, will attempt to defy the odds by fulfilling that incredible dream.
On paper, logic says the gelding cannot win. The $34 TAB Fixed Odds also suggest he can’t win, but the dream is oh-so-real for Bulletproof Boy’s connections ahead of the Victoria Cup.
Bulletproof Boy forced his way into the Grand Circuit event by achieving the seemingly impossible last weekend when he outsprinted who is considered the world’s heavyweight champion pacer, Leap To Fame.
Coming from midfield on the final turn, Bulletproof Boy reached the lead in the last stride to secure the Smoken Up Sprint by a half-head. In doing so, the evergreen 10-year-old ran the fastest time of his career – 1:51.1 over 1720 metres. Making the performance even more incredible, Bulletproof Boy was shaking off ‘ring rust’, having not raced for four months.
“I’m just constantly amazed by the old fella,” trainer Scott Ewen said. “He just keeps doing his thing and leaving me in awe.
“At the start of the year he was winning Bendigo and Ballarat Cups, now 10 months later and just 16 days shy of his 11th birthday, he’s chasing the biggest win of his, and my, careers.
“To think last season he ran his personal best time as a nine-year-old and now this season he has done it again at 10, he’s just getting better with age like a good scotch!”
To be driven by James Herbertson, Bulletproof Boy faces a monumental task after receiving barrier six in the $250,000 Group One.
“We’re not expecting miracles, but given the way he went last week, it shows he can beat the best on his night,” Ewen said. “It is scary to think he may have come back better again this time, but his first run makes you feel that way.
“The draw is not too bad as there is a lot of speed inside us, and we’ll look to slot in somewhere nice and come home as hard as we can.
“Overall, we’re going into it with some hope, but also know we need a lot of luck and everything to go our way.”
