Sydney Cup now an option for Ocean Billy

[Wandering Eyes]

While he is still coming to terms with winning the first Group One of his training career, Rotorua’s Bill Pomare knows he now has an even bigger decision to make with his stable star Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park).

Pomare was enjoying a few quiet moments on Sunday afternoon as he reflected on an amazing journey with the Ocean Park five-year-old that saw him take out the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

For Pomare, the victory represents the pinnacle of more than twenty-five years in the thoroughbred training game, but also offers the possibility of an even bigger achievement across the Tasman next month should he make the decision to tackle the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 10.

Typical of his laidback nature, Pomare won’t be rushing into a decision, preferring to let some water flow under the bridge as he enjoys the fruits of his latest success.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he said.

“I’m actually still expecting to get a call to ask me why I scratched my horse from the Auckland Cup and then I would know what happened really was just a dream.

“Seriously though, it is just an amazing feeling and one which I’m going to enjoy for as long as I can.”

Co-owner Suzi Pomare beams with pride as she leads Ocean Billy back to the Ellerslie birdcage after his Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) triumph
Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

Pomare had gone into the race with the belief Ocean Billy could win, especially after the bad luck he had when finishing sixth in the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) at his previous start.

“We were very confident as I was sure he could win the Avondale Cup the start before,” he said.

“His work had been spot on, even though he hadn’t raced for nearly two months, but he had a few things go against him and I don’t know if it was the best ride that day as well.

“We had a senior rider in Johnathan Parkes aboard on Saturday and that made a big difference, as those senior jockeys know how to position a horse in the big races.”

While Pomare was in a bit of a daze after the race, a call from Sydney-based ex-pat Kiwi jockey Jason Collett on Sunday morning soon had his mind focused on the task ahead.

“Jason Collett called me on Sunday morning and told me he thought Billy would be the ideal type for a Sydney Cup,” he said.

“He said he watched him on Saturday and thought he was ideally suited and would love to ride him if we did make the trip.

“I’m going to think about it for a few days as he is only five and still on the way up, but conversely he is running hot and sometimes they never come back the same way after a break, so there is a lot to think about.

“If the COVID-19 isolation requirements when coming home weren’t there, we would be on the plane in a flash, but the way things are there is a lot to take into consideration, as we still have the stable to run back here and everything that goes into that.”

One of the other considerations for Pomare is the fact that Ocean Billy is used to his own routine and stable environment that may not be able to be replicated in Sydney.

“He’s not really the type of horse to just pack up and send to someone over there, so realistically my wife Suzie or I would have to go with him,” he said.

“I did speak with Murray Baker about it and he said that I should do it myself as I was the one that knew the horse the best.

“He is a lovely horse who just loves people, but he does have his funny little habits. I would hate for someone who didn’t know him to get upset if he played up or gave them a little nip as you need to work around that as he will give you everything in return.”

Should a Sydney campaign not eventuate Pomare is also considering the options available for the horse during the Brisbane Winter Carnival later in the year.

Pomare has also had a brief discussion with co-owner Peter Ludgate who called in to see Pomare and Ocean Billy on Sunday morning and relive the thrill of the victory, while also finding time to chide him for some of his post-race comments.

“Peter came around and we had a look at Billy in his paddock and caught up on what had happened on the day,” Pomare said.

“It was very special as Suzie and I got to give him his replica trophy of the Auckland Cup which was quite emotional.

“Mind you he also told me off for saying that I was worried about his heart with all the excitement as it isn’t his heart but his lungs that are the problem. His ticker is fine, so we had a good laugh about that as well.”

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