Billy Egan is set to reunite with Young Werther in Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup (2400m), marking their first race-day link-up since a runner-up finish in the 2023 Ballarat Cup.
The pair last tasted victory together almost two years ago at Flemington, and Egan has since partnered Young Werther five times, collecting two wins and a pair of placings—including third in the prestigious Champions Stakes (2000m).
Although the combination had early success, Egan opted to switch to another Danny O’Brien-trained galloper—Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare—for key races in 2023.
“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 steered Vow And Declare to victory over Young Werther in last year’s Tatt’s Cup at Eagle Farm, but he’s hopeful of forging a path to Brisbane with Young Werther this time around.
Young Werther has returned with two solid efforts this prep. Egan rode him in a jump-out at Flemington before his first-up run in the Australian Cup Prelude, and he followed with a midfield finish in the Australian Cup itself.
“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.”
Drawing barrier one this weekend gives the team options. Egan and Jack Howard, assistant to O’Brien, aim to replicate a box-seating strategy that previously worked 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.”
