Bulletproof Boy winning the 2026 Newcastle Mile
SCOTTY Ewen gets to live his dream with the horse of a lifetime.
For years Ewen has wanted to tackle a Miracle Mile with Bulletproof Boy and now, at an age most horses have long been retired, they will combine in the $1 million Miracle Mile on Saturday week at Menangle.
As he has done so often in recent months, Bulletproof Boy defied his age, a bad draw and the odds to win last night’s $100,000 Group 1 Newcastle Mile.
More precious than first prize money for Ewen was the first golden ticket into the Miracle Mile.
“We had a crack at it last year and thought he was going well enough. He ran fourth in one of the qualifiers and just missed out,” Ewen said.
“Of all the really big races, it’s the one I’ve always thought would really suit him.”
He gets his chance now.
Bulletproof Boy will be trying to become the second-oldest pacer to win a Miracle Mile behind 12-year-old Double Agent in 1984.
Last night’s barnstorming win continued a remarkable past five months for Bulletproof Boy where he has beaten Leap To Fame, Kingman and now the fastest pacer in Australasia for the past seven years, Rakero Rocket.
Just when it seemed Rakero Rocket was home after having a comfortable one-one trail, Bulletproof Boy grew wings from last and right down the outside to snatch a 1.5m win in a 1min50.5sec mile.
It was his 52nd win from 227 starts with another 53 placings and took his earnings to $927.086.
Almost $320,000 of that has come over the past 14 months.
Rakero Rocket, who was favourite for the Miracle Mile before last night, will have to go through next week’s qualifiers at Menangle to get a spot in the race.
And that will mean three mile runs in as many weeks come Miracle Mile night.
It also means trainer Jason Grimson will have a swarm of runners across next week’s two Miracle Mile qualifiers.
Rakero Rocket will be joined by Swayzee, Hi Manameisjeff, Chase A Dream and Nerano.
Other big guns trying to qualify next Saturday are: Kingman, Don Hugo, Captains Knock and Pinseeker.
Grimson’s brilliant young mare Captains Mistress can also qualify for the Miracle Mile by winning next Saturday night’s Group 1 Chariots Of Fire.
PHOTO: Club Menangle/HRNSW
