It's more important to look forward

LEFT lamenting 'what could have been' following last weekend's disastrous Miracle Mile, trainer Scott Ewen has adopted a 'look ahead' philosophy with stable star Bulletproof Boy.

Finally earning a berth in the $1million Grand Circuit event at Club Menangle, Bulletproof Boy was checked upon the release point, which resulted in the gelding breaking stride and losing all winning chance.

Doing a power of work just to catch the field, the 11-year-old ran the middle half in 53.1 seconds - almost two seconds quicker than the winner, Leap To Fame.

Leap To Fame's last half was 54.35 seconds, runner-up The Janitor covered it in 53.56, while Bulletproof Boy clocked it in 54.2 behind a 'wall' of horses to eventually be beaten 12 metres.

"He put in a super run," Ewen said. "He lost at least 50 metres, was 80 off the leader, and never stopped chasing.

"We can all say what could have been and that's a fair reaction, but the reason rearview mirrors in your car are so small is it's more important to look forward.

"So we'll just look to the next goal, which is to get his earnings past $1million.

"He's on $957,000 at the moment, so barring something going horribly wrong, he should reach that before the end of the season."

Bulletproof Boy will have an opportunity to creep closer to his pending target in Melton on Saturday night.

Although James Herbertson is listed to drive three runners in the field of seven, he is likely to take the reins behind Bulletproof Boy from the outside of the front row.

"He pulled up a treat, so he will go around on Saturday night," Ewen said. "I haven't got anything set for him after that, so I will weigh up the options.

"I'm contemplating whether to chuck him out or go to the Queensland Inter Dominion in June. It's such a big trip, and the series doesn't necessarily suit him, so I'm probably leaning towards giving him a longer break."