Billy Boy near-flawless in steeple debut

[Wandering Eyes]

Barring a scare at penultimate fence, rising star Billy Boy (So You Think) produced what all the punters anticipated when he powered away with the Apparelmaster Waikato (3500m) at Te Aroha on Sunday.

Easily recognisable with his massive frame, Billy Boy has become a fan favourite in the jumping caper this season, winning both the Manawatu Hurdles (2500) and Wellington Hurdles (3200m) to maintain his unbeaten status.

Switching to the bigger fences for the first time, Billy Boy was backed as though unbeatable in the market, closing at $1.30 with his nearest counterparts being Zac Flash and Timba, both at $10. With his regular rider Joshua Parker on board, Billy Boy strode out to take the early lead and put a space on his rivals after gliding over the first fence.

Throughout the first lap and a half, the gelding put on a beautiful display of jumping out in front, and the first to put pressure on the favourite was Timba, who he promptly shook off at the fence under the palms.

Turning to negotiate the final two fences, Billy Boy had his rivals off the bit and chasing, but ploughed through the second to last, and while he stayed on his feet, Go Butch was suddenly a big danger and drew level going into the last.

In the same fashion that Zac Flash had fallen at the previous fence, Go Butch misjudged the final obstacle and fell, leaving Billy Boy to cruise in by 6 – ½ lengths, with Saint Bernard running on well into second.

Parker was swift in admitting he was at fault and praised the gelding, of whom he has guided to four victories in as many starts.

“I was probably getting a bit excited, but Bill put me in my place and just said ‘let me do it’,” Parker said. “I left him alone into the last and he’s run massively, his jumping was absolutely brilliant.

“Bill’s just happy being Bill, and that’s the best way to describe it. You don’t try to ask for anything silly because he’ll correct you, he’s old enough and wise enough to know.”

Jo Rathbone, who trains Billy Boy out of Wanganui, was relieved to see her stable star on his feet after watching a fair amount of mishaps at that fence through the season. 

“There seems to be a few too many action-packed maiden chases lately, but he seemed to get away with it,” she said. “It’s not what we needed.

“I said Josh to keep hold of his head because they seem to have a few issues at the fence, I don’t know whether it’s a bit lower and they’re not sighting it very well, but he was lucky enough to get away with it.

“Apart from that fence there, he jumped nice and evenly, and he enjoys his job – as a lot of these jumpers do. They enjoy doing it, which is why they try and put in the effort.”

Rathbone confirmed earlier in the week that Billy Boy would not be travelling to Christchurch to contest this year’s Grand National Festival of Racing, with the Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m) in her sights.

“I’ll play it by ear, but he may have a flat run in between times and we’ll see what happens,” she said.

A winner of seven races from 32 starts, Billy Boy continues to honour the legacy of his late owner Denis Leamy, who passed away in June. 

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