Battling Billy Upsets Auckland Cup Script

Rotorua galloper Ocean Billy (Ocean Park-Cool Sorm, by One Cool Cat) gave trainer Bill Pomare his biggest thrill on a racecourse when he proved too tough in the concluding stages of Saturday’s Gr1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie. According to NZ Racing Desk, the Ocean Park 5YO won the Gr3 Waikato Cup (2400m) back in December to frank his credentials for Saturday’s two-mile classic but had been overlooked in most of the pre-race discussions. Settled well beyond mid-field by Johnathan Parkes, who was having his first ride on the gelding, Ocean Billy tracked eventual runner-up Charles Road into the race at the 800m before launching a lightning move on the point of the turn to scoot two lengths clear. Race favourite, German import Sound (Lando), Charles Road (Myboycharlie) and Platinum Invador (Redwood) chased hard but Ocean Billy was never in danger. Pomare fought back mtears as he described his rags to riches journey to the winner’s circle on the biggest day in New Zealand racing. “My family is here while old Pete Ludgate, his part-owner who is ninety odd, is back in Rotorua so I’m just hoping his heart handles it,” he said. “For me, a young Maori boy who came out of nowhere, who slept under bridges and in cars, to suddenly have an Auckland Cup winner is incredible. While Pomare was unsure of his future plans for Ocean Billy he is considering paying a late nomination to take his place in the Gr1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 10. Ocean Billy has now won seven of his 20 starts and over $448,000 in prizemoney.