Humble horse owner Bill Pomare makes surprise TAB visit on Ocean Billy's big day.
As Rotorua locals sat at their tavern tables pondering their Melbourne Cup picks, man of the moment Bill Pomare waltzed in the door on the biggest day of his life.
The stunned locals at the Four Winds Tavern let out a cheer of "go Ocean Billy" as the ever humblehorse owner took time out of his busy schedule to say gidday.
Tavern owners Marama and Peter Morrison had spent a few hours decking the bar out with green balloons and a massive hand-made rosette in honour of Pomare and his horse, number 8 Ocean Billy.
Humble horse owner Bill Pomare surprised locals at the Four Winds Tavern by waltzing into the TAB on the biggest day of his life. Photo / Andrew Warner
Pomare, who can't travel to Australia for the big race because of the Covid-19 pandemic, has had a busy day putting down a hangi and preparing his home for a large group of friends and family who will watch the race with him at 5pm.
Pomare said his phone's been ringing hot but he wanted to make time to duck into town to the Four Winds Tavern to meet some of the locals.
As he mingled around the tables, he assured them his horse was worth a bet.
Bill Pomare's phone is running hot today. Photo / Andrew Warner
"He's capable of the big one. He will run hard and will not let you down. And he's paying good money."
Pomare said ideally he would have preferred his horse to have had a few runs in Australia, get climatised, come home, and then go back for the Melbourne Cup but he was confident trainer Chris Waller had left no stone unturned and Ocean Billy will give it his best shot.
There's not a hint of nerves on the easygoing racing legend and Pomare reckons he even had a good sleep last night.
"The fact you're just in the field to begin with is great. You're in there, so what's the point of getting all upset and nervous. Just enjoy the moment."
All cameras are on Bill Pomare today. Photo / Andrew Warner
Marama Morrison said she'd never met Pomare before but she thought it was a great idea to get into the spirit of the occasion and decorate the bar in his honour.
"We are horse people too and have raised horses but we've never owned a good horse, always the bridesmaids," she joked.
She said it was a great way to celebrate something positive.
"He is such a beautiful man and a beautiful town ... Why not do something happy and this is absolutely worth celebrating."
