Bulletproof Boy giant killer effort to win Newcastle Mile

Mercurial pacer Bulletproof Boy (Art Official) continued his habit of beating the big guns when he flew home to take out the Group 1 AVT Technologies Newcastle Mile on Friday evening.

Bulletproof Boy has a habit of defeating the very best in the land and in recent times he’s defeated the likes of Leap To Fame, Kingman and now last night the hot favourite Rakero Rocket.

In an action packed race, the Queenslander Cheerstolou commenced brilliantly and it was clear that driver Layne Dwyer wanted the lead at all costs. Helluva from the pole broke up soon after the start but most of the field was able to get around him. Rakero Rocket was balanced by driver Cameron Hart and then he secured a perfect one out and one back trail when stablemate Still Rollin went around the field to sit outside the leader.

Bainbridge was right behind Rakero Rocket while James Herbertson was biding his time  on Bulletproof Boy.

BULLETPROOF BOY 27 FEB REPLAY

The field ran 26.9 seconds for the third quarter as Rakero Rocket issued a serious challenge. Cheerstolou was a spent force on straightening but both Bainbridge and Bulletproof Boy started to gather in Rakero Rocket.

Showing his customary finishing sprint Bulletproof Boy finished over the top to beat Rakero Rocket with Bainbridge a close third. Bulletproof Boy rated 1.50.5 which was outside Leap To Fame’s record of 1.49 set last year.

In winning Bulletproof Boy earned automatic selection for the Group 1 $1million Miracle Mile to be run at Menangle in a fortnight.

It proved to be a memorable evening for trainer Scott Ewen. He brought along two other runners and ended up winning the opening two races with Bulletproof Kid (Art Major) driven by Ewa Justice and Tara Victory (Vincent).

Rakero Rocket battled on well but he could not withstand Bulletproof Boy’s relentless burst. In order to qualify for the Miracle Mile he’ll need to line up in a Free For All at Menangle on 7 March.

Earlier in the evening the KerryAnn Morris trained Passion and Pain (Always B Miki) showed plenty of courage in taking out the $30,600 Tommy Reay Sapling Memorial.

Hot favourite Bettorcheckherout looked to be inconvenienced shortly after the start when No Good Reason broke up. Bettorcheckherout was left without cover while Passion and Pain was behind the tearaway leader Micks Cruza.

It was left for Passion And Pain to do all the chasing and he gathered in the leader in the back straight. Despite doing it the hard way outside the leader Bettorcheckherout started to gather in Passion And Pain on straightening and Ifbutsandbillycans who had been mid field on the rails suddenly emerged from the pack looking a real threat.

However Passion And Pain urged on by his driver Jye Coney fought back in grand style and he came away for a well deserved win over Bettorcheckherout and Ifbutsandbillycans.

Passion And Pain is out of the Art Major mare Our Femme Fatale who won 18 races going 1.55.3.

A top mare who raced in Victoria Our Femme Fatale included amongst her wins the Tatlow Stakes, the Empire Vicbred 2YO Final and a Heat of Victoria Oaks.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink