It doesn’t feel all that long ago that Billy Egan was steering Young Werther to his second career victory, a performance that came at Flemington nearly two years ago. Since that win, Egan and Young Werther have shared several runs together, and they reunite this Saturday in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).
Saturday’s event marks the first time Egan will partner the Danny O’Brien-trained stayer in a race since their runner-up finish in the 2023 Ballarat Cup. Across five starts with Egan aboard, Young Werther has posted two wins and two placings, including a Group 1 third in the Champions Stakes (2000m).
Egan explained that his decision to ride former Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare—also trained by O’Brien—was a key reason for stepping away from Young Werther.
“I honestly think I got on him at the right time,” Egan said.
“They dropped him back in grade and he started winning races and then he started going back up in grade, so I was just lucky at the time.
“He and Vow ended up going to a heap of the same races and I stuck with Vow.”
Egan was aboard Vow And Declare when he defeated Young Werther in the Tatt’s Cup at Eagle Farm last winter, but the hope is to head north this time with Young Werther instead.
Now two runs into his current campaign, Young Werther appears to be progressing well. Egan had partnered him in a Flemington jump-out leading into his first-up outing in the Australian Cup Prelude, and was encouraged by the feel the gelding gave.
“I trialled him first-up this prep, and he gave me a good feel,” Egan said.
“He felt like he still has plenty of life about him.
“His run first-up wasn’t too bad, so hopefully with natural improvement, and that run the other day hasn’t bottomed him out too much, that he’s come through it well.”
Drawn barrier one for Saturday’s Mornington feature, Young Werther is expected to enjoy a more economical run. Egan and O’Brien’s assistant Jack Howard are aiming for a similar ride to the one that delivered a win at The Valley.
“He’s drawn one on Saturday and I spoke to Jack Howard, and we’ll try and ride him in a replica of when he won at The Valley one day when he drew one and box seated,” Egan said.
“I don’t see Mornington being any dramas for him.
“He’s got a good record at Flemington with the big straight, but I’ve worked him at The Valley, and he flies around there as well.”