Evergreen pacer chasing record-equaling win

AMAZING as it sounds, evergreen pacer Bulletproof Boy will attempt to equal two records in Saturday night’s Ballarat Cup.

Triumphant in last season’s edition, Bulletproof Boy is aiming to become just the second champion to successfully defend his title.

As it stands, Smolda is the only consecutive winner of the prestigious provincial feature, having captured the 2016 and ’17 Cups for legendary New Zealand horseman Mark Purdon.

Former star Sinbad Bay is the only other dual winner thanks to his victories in 1991 and 1996.

Sinbad Bay was trained by the late Bob Knight and driven his late son, Vin, for his initial win before scoring for Bob’s son-in-law, Stephen Dove five years later.

Sinbad Bay’s second win was as a sprightly 11-year-old, making him the eldest member on the honour roll.

That’s the second record Bulletproof Boy will have a ‘crack at’.

And let’s not forget the Scott Ewen-trained son of Art Official is chasing his second $1million bonus ‘token’.

In a phenomenal promotion, HRV will pay the mouth-watering sum to the connections of any pacer which wins four of six specified Cups.

One of those victories has to be in the Hunter Cup in Melton on February 14.

Bulletproof Boy became the first eligible candidate by capturing the Bendigo Cup a fortnight ago.

Kingman, which is also engaged in the Ballarat Cup, became the second with his Shepparton Cup win last weekend.

To achieve the various feats, Bulletproof Boy will have to overcome an awkward draw – barrier five – while Kingman is the sole starter along the second row.

“It’s not exactly the draw we’d like, but it is what it is,” Ewen said. “With Leap To Fame on the outside of the front line and Kingman drawn the back, it will become a very tactical race.

“It’s a good thing I have a very good tactical driver in James (Herbertson). It was James’ tactical decision making which won us the Bendigo Cup.

“I’m hoping the speed is on all the way as it will suit Bulletproof Boy. He’s an opportunist, and the great thing about him is he takes advantage of the opportunities when they come along.”