Ocean Billy shines in Auckland Cup at Ellerslie

Waikato Stud-based sire Ocean Park (Thorn Park) was provided with his third Group 1 winner on Saturday when courtesy of Ocean Billy’s (5 g ex Cool Storm by One Cool Cat) victory in the Auckland Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) at Ellerslie. 

Trained by Bill Pomare, the five-year-old gelding broke through at stakes level for the first time when he landed the Waikato Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) in December and on Saturday he defeated Charles Road (Myboycharlie) by a comfortable two and a quarter lengths, while Sound (Lando) was another head away in third. 

Settled well beyond mid-field by Johnathan Parkes, Ocean Billy travelled sweetly as pacemakers In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) and Bluey’s Chance (Remind) set up a solid pace out in front.

Parkes tracked eventual runner-up Charles Road into the race at the 800 metre mark before launching a lightning move on the point of the turn to come away with a comfortable victory. 

“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,” Pomare 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.

“This is the dream race to win and to think that he (Ocean Billy) has come out of a sprinting mare is amazing.

“I have to mention Justine Sclater as we both bred him and it was her vision to go to Ocean Park as I couldn’t afford it.

“I also owe my wife Suzi who rides him every day.

“She has been riding since she can walk and just loves horses to pieces. We will definitely be celebrating this tonight.”

Pomare also paid tribute to his horse who he has never lost faith in despite some rough moments early on in his career.

“Everyone around this horse just loves him as he is the kindest horse you could get,” Pomare said.

“He kept doing damage to himself leading into his races, but he is an absolute beauty.

“I said to Johnathan that if he wanted to go past them then go past them as he had plenty there and they won’t get past him in the straight.

“He rode him perfectly and has given us such a thrill.”

While Pomare was unsure of his future plans for Ocean Billy he is considering paying a late nomination for the Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) at Randwick on April 10.

The gelding is out of Listed-winning One Cool Cat (Storm Cat) mare Cool Storm, who is herself the daughter of fellow Listed winner Flying Free (Heroicity), while further back this is the same family as stakes-winning mare Shinko Bay (Shinko King). 

Cool Storm’s colt by Sweynesse (Lonhro) was purchased by Qingcai Huang for NZ$70,000 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale, while her filly by that same sire was purchased by JC Pender for NZ$20,000 at the Karaka sale last year.