Trainer Scott Ewen to aim Bulletproof Boy at 2025 Brisbane Inter Dominion

Victorian marvel Bulletproof Boy earned a crack at the Brisbane Inter Dominion with his fantastic Sydney raid earlier this month.

Bulletproof Boy, pictured winning the Group 2 Ballarat Pacing Cup in January, is headed towards the Brisbane Inter Dominion. Picture: Stuart McCormick

Old Victorian marvel Bulletproof Boy earned a crack at the Brisbane Inter Dominion with his fantastic Sydney raid earlier this month.

Trainer Scott Ewen was so impressed with the 10-year-old’s two Menangle starts he returned home to his Cranbourne stables wondering what might have been if Bulletproof Boy had gained a run as first emergency in the Miracle Mile.

“They were career-best runs from him, especially to come from last and get so close in the second run,” he said.

“He drew the pole in the Miracle Mile and I’d love to have got a run. He’d have been right behind the pace without spending any petrol and I’m sure he’d have been very competitive despite how good a field it was.”

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Instead, Bulletproof Boy drew wide in the Light Horse Free-For-All – the consolation of the Miracle Mile – and stormed home from last to finish a close second to millionaire Kiwi pacer Dont Stop Dreaming.

“I couldn’t have been prouder of him,” Ewen said. “He’s had such a great season, but those runs took him to another level.

“Given how well he went, we’ll head towards the Brisbane Inter Dominion in July. They’ve boosted the prize money and he’s shown how competitive he is against the best.”

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10-year-old wonder horse Bulletproof Boy has survived a protest to give hometown boy James Herbertson his first Ballarat Woodlands Stud Ballarat Pacing Cup for trainer Scott Ewen. pic.twitter.com/JklqwbO707

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) January 18, 2025

Bulletproof Boy earned $87,456 in 30 starts last year, but has already banked $125,750 from just six starts with two wins and two placings in 2025. He opened the year with successive wins in the Bendigo and Ballarat Cups.

Ewen will keep the gelding “ticking along” when he tackles the unique Stampede over just 1200m at Melton on Saturday night.

While Ewen did the driving himself in the two Menangle runs, he will happily hand the reins back to Australia’s premier driver James Herbertson this week.

“Jimmy must have liked his two runs in Sydney, he rang me for the driver this week and it’s usually me having to ring him,” Ewen laughed.

Trainer Scott Ewen and driver James Herbertson with Bulletproof Boy. Picture: Stuart McCormick

Bulletproof Boy will start from outside the (gate eight) in the Stampede.

“They’re never easy these 1200m races, but he’s going that well, I think he can sit parked (outside the leader) and win this,” Ewen said.

“He’s always had the speed, but he’s really toughened up as he’s gotten older. That’s the difference.”

It’s almost eight years since Bulletproof Boy ran third at his first start at Globe Derby on April 22, 2017.

He has raced 208 times for 46 wins, 46 placings and earned $730,541.

The Stampede is one of several features on Saturday night, including the $60,000 Group 1 Sumthingaboutmaori for trotting mares and the Melton Plate for four and five-year-old pacers.

Champion trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin have the quality and quantity to win their fifth Melton Plate, the most recent with The Lost Storm last year.

They have the three favourites this week: Best Deal (gate 1, $1.70), The Narcissist (seven, $2.25) and Sir Jimmy (six, $16).

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

Originally published as Trainer Scott Ewen to aim Bulletproof Boy at 2025 Brisbane Inter Dominion