It only seems like yesterday that Billy Egan was partnering Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) to the gelding’s second ever career win.
That win at Flemington was 22 months ago, and Egan was then associated with the Danny O’Brien-trained galloper in Young Werther’s next four starts.
Egan reunites with Young Werther in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday, the first time he will ride the gelding in a race since finishing second in the 2023 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m).
The jockey has had five rides on Young Werther, for two wins and two placings, including finishing third in the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington before the Ballarat Cup outing.
Egan explained it was his choice in riding former Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War), also prepared by O’Brien, as to why he had not continued his association with 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 partnered Vow And Declare when they defeated Young Werther in the Gr.3 Tatt’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm last June and he hopes to head north with Young Werther this year.
Young Werther has had two runs this campaign, with Egan partnering the stayer in a jump-out at Flemington prior to his first-up run in the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) at Flemington last month.
At his last start, Young Werther was ridden forward and chased Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) when seventh in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 29.
“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.
“He’s drawn one on Saturday and I spoke to Jack Howard (O’Brien’s assistant), 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.
“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.”
Young Werther was purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by trainer Danny O’Brien, in partnership with Aquis Farm, for $140,000.
Out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Romantic Time, Young Werther is a half-brother to stakes-placed Romantic Lady (NZ) (Power) and a full brother to three-time winner Villaden (NZ) (Tavistock).
