Bootcamp and diet for She’s Bulletproof pays off with victory in Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes

She’s Bulletproof claimed a deserved stakes win in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes after she was put on a diet and exercise program.

She's Bulletproof breaks through for a stakes win in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes at Sandown on Saturday. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

A diet and fitness bootcamp has helped She’s Bulletproof claim a deserved win in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.

The Charlotte Littlefield-trained mare travelled off leader and eventual runner-up Fancify before an explosive last 200m set up a dominant three-length win.

Littlefield credited a tailored food and exercise program to the success after She’s Bulletproof placed second in her past two starts in stakes company.

“We did notice she got away from us a little bit (fitness) in the Geelong race where she ran a very gallant second and she just struggled to pick that other horse up and that’s not like her,” Littlefield said.

“It was really, really hard to get that weight off her … we had to strip her feed right back, she was on six kilo of grain a day, she’s on four kilo of grain a day.

“It’s not a lot to give to a horse that does demand more food, a bit more roughage in the diet, a lot more swimming, work her harder.

“I’m not normally known as a trainer that works them too hard but she’s been worked pretty hard this girl and we’ve had to … she’s taught me a lot this girl.”

She's Bulletproof bolts in to win the Geoffrey Bellmaine! 🔫

Charlotte Littlefield with her biggest career win to date! 👏@HayfieldsRacingpic.twitter.com/qS2JRQLuaQ

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 1, 2025

She’s Bulletproof appreciated a solid tempo and clear air in the straight.

“This horse is very special to us and our big group of friends and family (ownership), it’s just really rewarding to get this horse to win this race today, it means so much,” Littlefield said.

“She’s thoroughly deserved it and put her hand up several times, just a few things we’ve changed around just to get her to peak today and it’s all come to fruition.

“She didn’t just win, she’s won very well.”

Wrote To Arataki, who won the 2023 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes, finished third.

Entrusting earns shot at a Derby

A Derby is the goal for Entrusting but the location is unknown after the three-year-old comfortably handled a rise in trip in the Mal Seccull Handicap at Sandown.

Trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes believe Entrusting could measure up to Australasia’s top staying three-year-olds after the colt’s win over 1800m.

Ben Hayes said the son of The Autumn Sun, who bounced back from a last-start defeat at Geelong, would be tested over longer journeys in the coming weeks.

“Last start, we were a tad disappointed he wasn’t able to win,” Hayes said.

“Today, seeing him step out to 1800(m) and run out the distance well, it was a big thrill.

“We’ll see how he pulls up.

“We’re hoping he gets to a Derby, whether it’s the Sydney or Adelaide one.

“That’s the direction we’d like to head with him and I think he ticked some boxes today, which is really exciting.”

Great finish at Sandown!

Entrusting relishes the step up to 1800m to score! 👏@lindsayparkracepic.twitter.com/G8MRef6qkP

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 1, 2025

Jockey Mark Zahra got the best out of Entrusting in the latter stages of the $150,000 contest.

The dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey said Entrusting ($3.90 fav) might have had a little more in hand despite only holding a half-length advantage over the game Mary Eliza ($7.50) at the finish.

“The best part was when it got to the point at the 150(m) of who wanted it most and he dug in,” Zahra said.

“He ended up winning quite easily at the end.”

Zahra said the Hayes brothers may as well aim Entrusting at one or both the Australian or South Australian Derby during his autumn campaign.

“They’re only three-year-olds once so you’ve got to have a crack,” Zahra said.

“He settles well and he toughs out the end.”

Originally published as Bootcamp and diet for She’s Bulletproof pays off with victory in Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes