Cranbourne-trained open class pacer Bulletproof Boy rounded off his preparation for the upcoming Mildura Cup carnival with a last stride win in the Nutrien Equine Pace at Melton on Saturday night.
Settling three back on the marker pegs from his second-row draw, Bulletproof Boy enjoyed a cosy trip over the 2240-metre journey and sprinted quickly in the home straight to nab the leader Jilliby Lorenzo right on the post in a 1:55:2 mile rate.
The win was the six-year-old’s third success at headquarters in recent months and has set the son of Art Official up for his second tilt at the Tesco Petroleum Mildura Pacing Cup according to trainer driver Scott Ewen.
“We were there two years ago and couldn’t get there last year of course," Ewen said. "He did a good job in his first year. He led and ran third in his heat but they were a bit good for him in the final.
"He’d only just hit free-for-all company, but he’s going a lot better now so with any luck and a half decent draw I’m hoping he’ll be thereabouts.
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“He’s turned into a real tradesman with a good turn of foot and if you drive him accordingly and have a bit of luck he’s always a chance.
"Having said that he has the gate speed to lead in his races. I led in a trial at Melton recently and went 1:55 overall and home in 55, so he can do it, but in that (Mildura Cup) company you're just better off with a trail and hoping he can get home over the top of them.”
Bulletproof Boy has certainly been the flag-bearer for the Ewen stable since moving to Victoria and has earned in excess of $90,000 for connections over the past 18 months.
Ewen has also enjoyed success with a number of his support crew during that time, including another ex-pat South Australian in Assasinator and the much travelled trotter Trouble Giero, who saluted when well-supported at Shepparton recently.