Billy Boy faultless in hurdle debut

[Wandering Eyes]

Capable flat galloper Billy Boy (So You Think) made the perfect start to his jumping career at Woodville on Sunday, putting on a polished display to claim the Pat & The Late John Shannon (3000m).

The son of So You Think had previously recorded three wins on the flat and most recently in an amateur riders contest in June, with his customary front-running style particularly efficient in heavy track conditions.

Aided by former top jumps jockey Jo Rathbone as his trainer, Billy Boy had been preparing for a career over fences for some time and was well-prepared for his debut, where punters had him slightly underrated as a $7.50 fourth-favourite.

Billy Boy jumped away positively in the hands of Joshua Parker and was among a six-horse speed duel along the opening stretch, before the big gelding took over ahead of race-favourite Kahu Rock. Negotiating his fences efficiently, Billy Boy continued to stretch the field into the second circuit and when challenged at the top of the straight, he was too classy for his rivals and powered away by four lengths to Quid. 

Rathbone was delighted to see such a strong showing from him at a first attempt, with patience paying off for the Wanganui horsewoman.

“I was really happy with him, he’s been jumping for a very long time so as far as a first starter over jumps goes, he’s probably a lot more experienced than most,” she said.

“When he’s won on the flat, he’s just been rolling along at a good tempo, that’s where he seems to go the best. Jumping-wise, I wasn’t concerned about him being up-front as he’s had numerous jumping trials and is pretty confident.

“I just said to Josh, if you get to the front and bowl along at a nice clip that’s good, if someone takes you on, he can take a sit as well as long as long as he’s got that tempo.

“Plus, he likes Woodville, he’s had three starts for three wins here.”

Woodville will stage another jumps meeting in three weeks’ time, but Rathbone is willing to continue giving the seven-year-old the time he needs before pressing on to another hurdling contest.

“He’s been schooling and getting ready for the last couple of seasons but I felt he was a bit weak for it in the past, so I gave him time to grow into himself as he’s a pretty huge horse,” she said.

“I’m just not sure whether I come back here or maybe turn him out and bring him back early for next season. I think being patient so far has been the key, but I’ll see when we get home how he is and make a decision then.”

Billy Boy was bred by Alan Galbraith and purchased by owner Denis Leamy for $5500 via gavelhouse.com in July of 2021, and in his 22 starts, he has recorded four wins, five minor placings and over $57,000 in stakes earnings.

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