Australia’s harness racing best fairytale story has another chapter.
Giant-killing warhorse Bulletproof Boy has landed a slot in next month’s $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park.
The 11-year-old, who has famously beaten superstars Leap To Fame and Kingman in recent months, will race in the slot of race sponsor TABTouch.
In another coup for the race, Australia’s premier driver James Herbertson has been locked-in for the drive.
“It’s very exciting. It shows he’s being noticed, which is great,” trainer Scott Ewen said.
“It’s really a reward for what he’s done over the past few months, especially that Newcastle Mile win and then his big run in the Miracle Mile after finding early trouble.
“It was straight after that I got the call asking if I was interested in taking him (to Perth).
“Once I did my homework, it really made sense. As well as the Nullarbor, there is the ($300,000) Fremantle Cup the week after, too. So, we get two Group 1 races to have a crack at.”
The Cranbourne-trained Bulletproof Boy is veteran of 229 starts for 52 wins, 54 placings and is closing in on $1 million in earnings at $960,441.
He has earned almost $600,000 of that since he turned eight.
Ewen said he would cap Bulletproof Boy’s preparation for the trip by running him in a 2240m free-for-all at Melton on Saturday night.
“It’s a bit further than a sprint race this week, but that’s good because both Perth races are long distances,” he said.
“I know he loves sprint racing, but he’s won a Ballarat Cup (over 2710m) in close to track record time last season.
“In think the style of racing over there, where they seem to go hard all the way, will suit him. He’s best when we can drive him with a sit and follow a fast pace.”
Bulletproof Boy is scheduled to fly from Melbourne to Perth with all the other eastern horses (thoroughbred and harness) aiming at the Nullarbor and the $5 million Quokka at Ascot, on April 10.
“For all the travel he’s done everywhere, this will be his first plane flight, so I’m glad he’ll get there a week before the race,” Ewen said.
“He won’t need to hopple (track work) until theTuesday or Wednesday, so he’ll have a few days to really settle in.”
Bulletproof Boy is the fourth confirmed eastern states raider set to take on the locals, headed by Minstrel and Magnificent Storm, in the Nullarbor.
Don Hugo, a winner of the Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile and TAB Eureka, headlines the raider. The others are newly crowned Tasmanian Horse of the Year, Triedtotellya, and much loved NSW veteran Max Delight.
Interstate raiders won the first two Nullarbors – Betterzippit (2023) and Catch A Wave (2024) – before the sidelined Mister Smartie became the first local winner last year.
Bulletproof Boy has been installed as a $5 chance with Don Hugo the $3.50 favourite.
