DANNY O’Brien opted for the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in preference to a third tilt at the Turnbull Stakes for his gifted middle-distance galloper Young Werther.
Although Young Werther has been placed in the past two Turnbull Stakes, O’Brien said the $2 million prize money on offer in the Hill Stakes was too good to pass up.
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Young Werther won his debut at Geelong but then went 22 starts before he broke though again when he was successful over 2000 metres at Flemington in July.
He followed that up with another win at Moonee Valley over 2040 metres at his next start on September 9.
Between his first and second wins Young Werther raced at the top level and was placed in four Group 1 races.
Young Werther finished third in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes as a three-year-old over 2000 metres at Rosehill before he finished second in the ATC Derby.
O’Brien said Young Werther had gelled with under-rated jockey Billy Egan who has ridden him to win his past two runs, which have been his only two rides on him, and he will again in the Hill Stakes.
Egan has ridden the most winners in Victoria this season with 30 victories. He will also ride Lafargue for O’Brien in the final race.
Young Werther who is a $15 chance with PlayUp has drawn barrier 14. Chris Waller’s Montefilia is the $3.90 favourite.
