Trainer Scott Ewen full of confidence with Bulletproof Boy ahead of Brisbane Inter Dominion series tilt

Cranbourne trainer Scott Ewen is just weeks away from chasing his first “away” Inter Dominion series with the most special horse of his career – the remarkable veteran Bulletproof Boy.

Trainer Scott Ewen (left) and driver James Herbertson with Bendigo Pacing Cup winner Bulletproof Boy. Picture: Stuart McCormick

Scott Ewen is preparing to live his harness racing dream.

The former South Australian horseman, who now trains at Cranbourne, is just weeks away from chasing his first “away” Inter Dominion series.

And it’s with the most special horse of his career, the remarkable veteran Bulletproof Boy.

The 10-year-old has been racing in career-best form this year and will have “another two or lead-up races” before heading to Brisbane to take on superstars like Leap To Fame and Don Hugo in the revamped Inter Dominion series, which starts on July 5.

Ewen’s main aim and realistic hope is to qualify Bulletproof Boy for the $1 million Grand Final at Albion Park on July 19.

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“I’m not taking him for the fun of it,” he said. “I’ve had him entered for the past two Inter Dominions in Brisbane (2023) and Sydney (last year), but pulled him out because he hasn’t been going well enough.

“It’s different this time. It’s hard to pinpoint why, but he’s never raced better. Some of his runs this year have been amazing.”

Bulletproof Boy has raced eight times this year for three wins, including the Group 2 Bendigo Pacing Cup, two seconds and a third.

Even the one unplaced run was a solid sixth to Leap To Fame in his hometown Cranbourne Cup on February 8.

The gelding, who finished third at his first start at Globe Derby way back on April 22, 2017, has raced 210 times for 47 wins, 37 placings and banked $745,316.

The Ol Marvel 🌟

Veteran Bulletproof Boy has proved age is no barrier as he lunges late to grab hot favourite Tact Mcleod on the line for driver James Herbertson and trainer Scott Ewen to win the Group 2 Garrards Horse & Hound Bendigo Pacing Cup. pic.twitter.com/EuCEHX3Yd2

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) January 4, 2025

Ewen gave his stable star a let-up after a fighting second at Melton on April 5.

“What a run that was. To sit parked and still almost win in a 1min51.7sec mile rate … it was a ridiculously big run,” he said.

“He’d had a busy few months to start the year, so I gave him a week out in the paddock and worked him up again.”

Bulletproof Boy resumes in the opening race at Melton on Saturday night, but Ewen concedes a lack of race fitness and back row draw will make it tough.

“He’ll need the run, he’s probably 85 per cent at best, but he needs racing to get to his top so this is a starting point again,” he said.

“Throw that in with the draw in quite a good and even race and it’ll be a challenge, but he is the sort of horse who always runs well and he’s won harder races than this in the past,” he said.

"He is just a legend."

James Herbertson and Scott Ewen reflect on what Bulletproof Boy's win in the Group 2 Garrards Horse & Hound Bendigo Pacing Cup means to them. pic.twitter.com/WfFtvWqK7V

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) January 4, 2025

Ewen will take the reins himself this week with regular driver James Herbertson away in the US on a working holiday.

Remarkably, this will be Ewen’s first trip to Brisbane to race a horse.

“I’ve been there on holidays, but it’ll be fantastic to go with this guy and I love what they’ve done to reinvigorate the Inter Dominion with the change of format and the big prize money boost,” he said.

This Inter Dominion has been reduced from the traditional three rounds of qualifying heats down to just two before the Grand Final.

Bulletproof Boy did contest the 2022 Inter Dominion series in Victoria, but raced below his best when unplaced in all three heats and seventh in the consolation.

“Forget about that, he’s a different horse now … just look at his form,” Ewen said.

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.

Originally published as Trainer Scott Ewen full of confidence with Bulletproof Boy ahead of Brisbane Inter Dominion series tilt