Bullet earns start in Winter Rewards

By Mike Love 

After upsetting at big odds on Sunday, Bullet has earned a start in Friday's North of the Waitaki Winter Rewards meeting at Addington. 

In the New Zealand Bloodstock Mobile Trot Bullet, trained and driven by John Versteeg, broke his maiden, and many punters' hearts, downing the $1.55 favourite Lexicon in the process. 

It was the gelding's first win in 27 starts, paying $51. 

“The more difficult they are, the more satisfying they are,” said Versteeg of the win.  

Starting from the unruly over 1980m, Bullet was naturally at the tail end of the field early. Bullet was kept rolling by Versteeg once they caught the pack, continuing around the field to sit parked from the 1200m. Once getting the better of Lexicon from around the 150m, Bullet was able to pull away to win comfortably by two-and-a-half lengths. 

“He lacks a wee bit of speed, but he’s got a big motor, if he’s trotting alright it is best to let him roll.”

Friday will see five Winter Rewards races being held with Bullet earning a start in the Syncroflex Complete Winter Rewards Handicap Trot, over 2600m (Race 6 - 7.15pm).

“He’s still not there as far as beginning goes. A lot of his starts he hasn't even taken part. But the race on Friday night wasn’t as deep as I thought it could have been. He had to win on Sunday to get in, so it worked out quite well. We are happy to line up.”

Bullet, the six-year-old Superfast Stuart gelding, is bred and raced by Versteeg and his partner Bernie Hill.

“The mother (Marinated Muscle) could have been nice but she wasn’t sound. Mariposa, his grandmother, won the first two-year-old trot of her year. She was a natural. Bullet has just been a time job all the way through.”  

And there could be more wins in store. 

“We are looking forward to the grass track meetings.”