Saturday metro double
30 Jun 2025
As the end of the racing season approaches, we have had a flurry of winning graduates in June, including a metropolitan double on Saturday courtesy of Billy Boy and Changing Colours.
The seven-year-old Billy Boy (pictured) has announced himself as one of New Zealand’s most promising jumpers this season, winning his past two starts to remain unbeaten over hurdles.
A winner of three races on the flat, Billy Boy went all the way in Saturday’s 3200m race, pulling away after the final fence to win by 10.3L under a brilliant ride by Joshua Parker.
A gentle giant and late bloomer, Billy Boy (So You Think (NZ) x Alacer) was foaled and raised at Willow Park for long time client Alan Galbraith, heading to New Zealand as a yearling to grow out on the hills of Alan’s Rich Hill Stud.
He was later sold online to owner Denis Leamy, who tragically passed away just days before Billy Boy’s last start Manawatu Hurdle win.
In 31 starts to date, Billy Boy has collected six wins, seven placings and NZ$133,000. Saturday’s Wellington Hurdle was a Prestige Jumping Race - of which there are only five over hurdles per year - and netted him $43,000.
Trainer Jo Rathbone has done a super job bringing Billy Boy along with patience and credits his outings with the Egmont-Whanganui Hunt Club as helping him enjoy (and excel at!) his work.
Our second winner on Saturday came at Rosehill Gardens, where the Chris Waller Racing-trained Changing Colours recorded her third career win.
All her previous racing done in Victoria, Changing Colours has placed in the top three in every one of her nine starts, including a Caulfield win in November.
The four-year-old mare was impressive on Saturday, travelling at the rear of the field until a gap opened up 300m out, kicking on from the 150m to score by 1.75L.
A half-sister to dual Gr1 winner Nettoyer (Sebring) by progressive young stallion The Autumn Sun, Changing Colours was foaled and raised at Willow Park for breeders Bromfield Park, who remain in her ownership.