Billy Egan has not been a consistent rider for Jimmy The Bear’s Winter Championship defence so far, but he is set to resume control at the opportune moment.
The straightforward jockey will be back aboard the Patrick Payne-trained gelding for Saturday’s $200,000 Listed final at Flemington.
This marks the first occasion Egan has partnered Jimmy The Bear this year, having last been with him in the Kensington Stakes on New Year’s Eve. While he hasn’t ridden him recently, he has been closely monitoring his progress.
“I galloped with him on Tuesday morning at Werribee – Patrick rode him and I rode his stablemate, but he worked good,” Egan stated.
“He’s been going pretty good. I think he’s had a similar lead up with all the races he’s run in, it’s been the same sort of plan as last year, and he’s going well.”
Similar to the previous year, Jimmy The Bear commenced his campaign at Caulfield in early May and concluded his Winter Championship preparations in The David Bourke (1620m) at Flemington.
Although he had two starts between these races in 2025, he only had one additional outing this year, securing a victory over 1600m at Caulfield on May 30.
The Jimmy Creed colt is scheduled to carry 60kg on Saturday, which is 1kg more than last year, as he aims to emulate Glaneuse as the sole consecutive winner of the 1600m race, first contested in 1980.
“He’s pretty highly rated now, so he deserves to carry the weight,” Egan commented about the 13-time winner.
“He’s a big horse and he’s proven he can carry the weight.”
Jimmy The Bear secured barrier one for the Winter Championship Final, a stark contrast to his younger half-brother and stablemate Clevor Trever, who was assigned the second-widest gate in the 13-runner Silver Bowl Final that concludes the race day.
The Omaha Beach three-year-old also carries 60kg for his first attempt at 1600m, and while Egan acknowledges the challenge, he expresses confidence in his ability.
“Maybe the weights might be a little bit different for him, because they got so close to him last time and he is getting out to the mile,” he remarked.
“He’s probably got a few more obstacles to overcome, but he’s in really good form.”
Egan’s other two rides on Finals Day are also prepared by Payne: Bold Soul in the $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m) and Falset Star in the $175,000 Listed A R Creswick Stakes (1200m).
Punters looking to back Jimmy The Bear in the Winter Championship Final can find the best racing odds at Australian betting sites.