Victoria’s pin-up pacer Bulletproof Boy continues to defy his ageing years, chalking up a 50th career win at Melton on Saturday night.
The Scott Ewen-trained rising 11-year-old lobbed along towards the rear of the field before James Herbertson eased out to stake a challenge with 700 metres to travel.
Bulletproof Boy ($1.55 fav) grabbed Mach Dan half-way down the home straight before surging clear to score by three metres in a mile rate of 1:52.8 for the 2240m trip.
Herbertson marvels at how the winner’s battle-seasoned legs enable him to compete successfully at the top level.
“He just gives everything he’s got, there is no doubt about that. He’s got speed, he’s tough, he’s versatile, but it’s just his pure will to win,” Herbertson said.
“It’s also his tenacity that he has to have a target and just chase them down. I think that’s what he is so well known for and we all love that about him.”
Alex Ashwood took the training and driving honours at the meeting with a winning double.
Promising Tasmanian-bred filly The Bride provided Ashwood with the first leg of his double thanks to an impressive performance that completed back-to-back wins at Melton.
Sent out at the surprisingly good odds of $6, The Bride peeled off a three wide trail around the home turn before forging clear of her rivals in the home straight to score running away by six metres from Eastbro Chrissy in a mile rate of 1:53.3.
Ashwood is bullish about the winner’s future on the mainland.
“It’s no secret I think she is a top-class filly and I think she’s got a bright future,” Ashwood said.
“I think she can measure up in the good races if we keep driving her how we did tonight against the better mares over the next 12 months. I think she will develop into a top-class mare over time.”
Later in the evening, Ashwood became the ‘bookies pal’ when he steered $26 chance Emma Rox to victory while downing the $1.55 favourite Beach Dancer in the Vicbred Platinum Homegrown (3YO Pacers).
Ashwood believes the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven will more than pay her way for prominent owner and form analyst Darren Carroll.
“She is no world-beater, but she is going to be a nice little bread and butter horse for Darren going forward I think,” he said.
Bendigo-based trainer Julie Douglas finished the night in style, taking out both heats of the Gordon Rothacker Championship with Hes No Romeo and Wattlebank Arnie.
With Jack Laugher in the sulky, Hes No Romeo ($8) made full use of the sprint lane to score a soft win by five metres from the $2.80 favourite Browniesatmidnight.
“He seems like he is a nice enough horse. He’s been racing a bit out of his grade so he should win a few more,” Laugher said.
Half an hour later, Wattlebank Arnie ($13) took advantage of the sprint lane to score an overdue win in the second heat after landing behind the leader.
Driver Tasmyn Potter, who will take part in the Young Guns Series at Melton on New Year’s Eve, said the race was run to suit the six-year-old son of Bettors Delight.
“We actually ended up in the perfect position behind the leader, which was great, and down the back he was up travelling, which was really good. When he got the run, he let down well,” Potter said.
