2025 Mornington Cup: Strong run could see trainer Danny O’Brien send Young Werther north

After playing a sacrificial role in the Group 1 Australian Cup, trainer Danny O’Brien is keen to get Queensland-bound Young Werther back into winning form in the Listed Mornington Cup.

Young Werther could launch another Queensland winter campaign with a good result on Saturday in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).

The Danny O’Brien-trained galloper placed seventh last start in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in what turned into a sacrificial role.

Young Werther went forward from a wide draw only to be caught dragging up the field to ultimately unplaced frontrunner Pride Of Jenni.

Barrier one in the Caulfield Cup-qualifying Mornington Cup should afford jockey Billy Egan the option to box seat behind the speed and pounce late.

Egan has won two of five starts on Young Werther, placed twice also, but not ridden the seven-year-old since they finished second in the 2023 Ballarat Cup largely due to clashing commitments.

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Egan rode Vow And Declare predominantly last year and missed Young Werther opportunities as the former stablemates often raced in similar company.

Egan defeated Young Werther aboard Vow And Declare in the Tatts Cup in Brisbane last year.

“I’d love to go back to Queensland and win it on this bloke (Young Werther),” Egan said.

“I actually trialled him (Young Werther) first-up this prep and he gave me a pretty good feel.”

Jockey Billy Egan. Picture: Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

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Young Werther opened $8.50 for the Mornington Cup behind favourite Berkshire Breeze ($2.70), Just Fine ($4.80) and Que Tempesta ($5.50).

Egan will aim to replicate his second win on Young Werther, a stalking victory at The Valley in 2023 also from barrier one coincidently, at Mornington.

“If there’s good speed and he’s just off them using them as the bunny that would be super,” Egan said.

“He’ll rip around Mornington no dramas, got a good record at Flemington with the big straight but the way I’ve worked him at Moonee Valley he flies around there (tight track), he’s got no problems.”

He's tough! 💪

7YO stayer, Young Werther, collects his 5th career victory for @DOBrienRacing 👏 @blake_shinnpic.twitter.com/gbdExanPLP

— Racing.com (@Racing) August 31, 2024

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Egan has a busy Easter long weekend program with rides at Echuca, Mornington, Stawell and Sandown.

Good Friday commitments include Group 1-placed Johnny Rocker in the Country Discovery (1000m) at Echuca.

“He probably needs to find his best form again,” Egan said.

“It’s a very tough race … last year’s (Country Discovery) at Yarra Valley they finished like a blanket and my guess is it’s going to be similar again especially with big prizemoney on a country track.”

Nick Ryan-trained Johnny Rocker burst onto the scene last year, giving Imperatriz a fright in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) but mixing form thereafter.

Egan won an 800m trial last week aboard Johnny Rocker on the Heath circuit at Caulfield — the tight-turning inner track.

Originally published as 2025 Mornington Cup: Strong run could see trainer Danny O’Brien send Young Werther north