Charlotte Littlefield sometimes has to pinch herself to believe the incredible journey she and She’s Bulletproof have been on this campaign.
She’s Bulletproof is set to compete in her second Group 1 race when she heads to Moonee Valley on Saturday for the William Reid Stakes (1200m).
The mare began her current campaign with a handicap rating of 70 after finishing second in a benchmark 64 race at Bendigo in October. Since then, she has gone on to win at Moonee Valley, secured placings in Stakes races at Caulfield and Geelong, and triumphed in the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes at Sandown in February.
Her rating soared to 104 after she finished second to Jimmysstar in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 22.
“It’s a magical ride, and I have to sit down occasionally and pinch myself to think about how far we’ve both come,” Littlefield said.
“It goes to show that they don’t have to cost half-a-million dollars at the sales, you don’t have to be born and bred into racing, and you don’t need massive support from big players in the game. It gives everyone a chance in Australia.”
“It’s pretty remarkable that the horse has been able to get there, and she’s in our stable.”
This remarkable journey has inspired Littlefield and her husband, Julien Hay, to be active at the sales, with 22 yearlings, including some homebreds, expected to join their stable.
Littlefield believes that while the second-widest barrier of eight may not seem ideal, it could provide She’s Bulletproof with plenty of galloping room. The mare also has a strong affinity for the Moonee Valley circuit, having recorded a win and a second from her two starts there. Jockey Craig Williams, who will ride her on Saturday, is aiming for his fourth win in the past eight runnings of the William Reid Stakes.
“She’s been great in the four weeks since her last race,” Littlefield said. “She’s had a jump-out, and her gallop on Tuesday was good at home on the course proper. Craig was happy with how she jumped out, and I was happy with how she galloped. She’s around the weight we want her at, so she’s ticking all the boxes. All we need now is to make sure there’s not too much rain.”
Littlefield is unsure how far She’s Bulletproof can go while in her current form. A trip to Adelaide for the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on April 26 is a possibility, depending on her performance on Saturday.
“We take each run as it comes with her,” Littlefield said. “There is still a loose idea of the Sangster, and there are lofty ambitions of potentially going overseas with her, but we can work on that for next year. If she gives any signs that things aren’t 110 percent, then she’ll be in the paddock.”
