Billy Egan chasing more success with Patrick and Michelle Payne on Finals day at Flemington
Egan rode a double a fortnight ago at Headquarters to help the Payne partnership secure a personal best four winners on the card.
Egan has only two rides on Saturday but could hold up his end of the bargain on Buccleuch (Listed Taj Rossi Series Final) and Jimmy The Bear (Listed Winter Championship Series Final).
Buccleuch has progressed again since a dominant 1400m Flemington success.
Egan said the extra distance to 1600m on Saturday should not be a problem.
'He's ticking over nicely,' Egan said.
'He surprised how well (he won last start) … he's putting it together and I'd say there's still good more improvement in him, maturity wise.
'I can't see why (1600m) would be (an issue) … only his fifth start, so we'll find out on the day.'
Buccleuch travelled comfortably behind the speed last start and surged past in the straight for an effortless 2¼-length win from Arcora.
Buccleuch is $1.70 favourite to repeat the performance, with Arcora a solid $4.60 second elect.
Patrick Payne has won the Taj Rossi twice the past five years with Quang Tri (2022) and Cherry Tortoni (2020).
Egan will also ride Jimmy The Bear for the first time this campaign, with rising star apprentice jockey Tom Prebble unavailable due to suspension.
Jimmy The Bear has been in career-best form, finished in the top two the past four starts including two wins.
'(Prebble has) ridden it super,' Egan said.
'Patty has looked after him (Jimmy The Bear) so well, like he does with all his older horses.
'A really genuine horse with a good attitude, so you knew he was going to do something like this.'
Jimmy The Bear finished 3¼ lengths behind Winter Championship favourite Oh Too Good two starts back at Flemington.
The six-year-old gelding rebounded with a dominant win last start.
Jimmy The Bear has drawn outside Oh Too Good on Saturday, barriers 13 and 14 respectively, so the start is crucial for both Winter Championship contenders.
'I'll figure it out as we go,' Egan said.
'(Oh Too Good) landed a fair few spots in front of Jimmy last run,' Egan said.
'We might be back a little further (from the barrier) … I'll figure it out as we go, see what happens.'
Zorro's Flight (Silver Bowl), Bold Soul (Banjo Paterson) and Frontline Action and Silver Pledge (Mahogany Challenge).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Australian
31 minutes ago
- The Australian
NPL club Heidelberg thrash Phoenix in Cup quarter-final
Heidelberg United's dream Australia Cup run continued at Olympic Village on Tuesday night, with the NPL Victoria club thrashing A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix 4-0 to advance to the competition's semi-finals for the first time. A week after beating another top-flight club, Western Sydney Wanderers, in a 3-0 round-of-16 upset at the same venue, the Bergers were again too good in the quarter-final boilover. The tone was set early, with winger Sabit Ngor forcing a save out of Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi in the first minute. The Phoenix offered little in attack and it was anything but a surprise when the hosts grabbed the lead in the 34th minute courtesy of an own goal from Wellington defender Isaac Hughes. Under pressure from Heidelberg midfielder Asahi Yokokawa, who was chasing a through ball from his captain Ben Collins, Hughes turned the ball into his net past the exposed Josh Oluwayemi. Heidelberg United players and staff celebrate the club's Australia Cup quarter-final win over Wellington Phoenix. Picture:Leading 1-0 at half-time, the home side put the game to bed with two more goals in the opening six minutes of the second-half. Winger Max Bisetto doubled Heidelberg's lead in the 46th minute with a stunning long-distance strike in the 47th minute, before Yokokawa sealed his team's place in a semi-final next month against either Sydney FC or Auckland FC with a well-timed finish after impressive work on the right by Ngor,' Replacement Chok Dau provided the icing on the cake in the 85th minute with Heidelberg's fourth goal in the 85th minute. 'I don't think anyone (in the team) thinks we can't go all the way,' Bisetto told Paramount Plus. 'If people don't believe it, then they should start. All credit to the boys, we were phenomenal tonight.' Marco Monteverde Sports reporter Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world. @marcothejourno Marco Monteverde
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Bruised Boks change 10 for Australia Cape Town clash
South Africa have made 10 changes to their starting XV for the second Rugby Championship test against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday as coach Rassie Erasmus wields the axe following a shock 38-22 loss to the tourists in Johannesburg last weekend. Erasmus was left fuming by the manner of his side's capitulation at Ellis Park, as Australia scored 38 unanswered points after the Springboks had raced into a 22-0 lead, but fell apart in the second half. Only centre Jesse Kriel, halfback Grant Williams, loose forward Marco van Staden, hooker Malcolm Marx and prop Ox Nche keep their places. The Springboks have lost four players to injury from that test, including captain Siya Kolisi (knee) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (concussion), who would likely have started. Handre Pollard returns at five-eighth to provide a steadying hand, while Damian de Allende returns at inside centre to partner Kriel. Cheslin Kolbe is back from injury on the wing along with Canan Moodie, while experienced Willie le Roux, who recently won his 100th cap, is handed the fullback berth. Marx and Nche are joined in the front row by prop Thomas du Toit, while RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje make for a new lock pairing. Jean-Luc du Preez takes over at No.8, and Franco Mostert is the other flanker along with Van Staden. Erasmus has returned to a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on the bench, which suggests his side will play a tighter, forward-based game having seen their attempt to play expansive, running rugby contained by Australia as they did not score a point in the final 62 minutes of the fixture in Johannesburg. "We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact on a few of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia last week, so we made a few changes that we believe will offer us what we need for this game," Erasmus said. "Damian and Cheslin have also recovered from their injuries, and with their experience and knowledge of the Wallabies, it was a logical choice to recall them. "We let ourselves and the country down, so we have all the motivation we need to make things right this week." SOUTH AFRICA (v AUSTRALIA) 15–Willie le Roux, 14–Canan Moodie, 13–Jesse Kriel, 12–Damian de Allende, 11–Cheslin Kolbe, 10–Handre Pollard, 9–Grant Williams, 8–Jean-Luc du Preez, 7–Franco Mostert, 6–Marco van Staden, 5–Ruan Nortje, 4–RG Snyman, 3–Thomas du Toit, 2–Malcolm Marx, 1–Ox Nche Replacements: 16–Marnus van der Merwe, 17–Boan Venter, 18–Wilco Louw, 19–Eben Etzebeth, 20–Lood de Jager, 21–Kwagga Smith, 22–Cobus Reinach, 23–Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. South Africa have made 10 changes to their starting XV for the second Rugby Championship test against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday as coach Rassie Erasmus wields the axe following a shock 38-22 loss to the tourists in Johannesburg last weekend. Erasmus was left fuming by the manner of his side's capitulation at Ellis Park, as Australia scored 38 unanswered points after the Springboks had raced into a 22-0 lead, but fell apart in the second half. Only centre Jesse Kriel, halfback Grant Williams, loose forward Marco van Staden, hooker Malcolm Marx and prop Ox Nche keep their places. The Springboks have lost four players to injury from that test, including captain Siya Kolisi (knee) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (concussion), who would likely have started. Handre Pollard returns at five-eighth to provide a steadying hand, while Damian de Allende returns at inside centre to partner Kriel. Cheslin Kolbe is back from injury on the wing along with Canan Moodie, while experienced Willie le Roux, who recently won his 100th cap, is handed the fullback berth. Marx and Nche are joined in the front row by prop Thomas du Toit, while RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje make for a new lock pairing. Jean-Luc du Preez takes over at No.8, and Franco Mostert is the other flanker along with Van Staden. Erasmus has returned to a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on the bench, which suggests his side will play a tighter, forward-based game having seen their attempt to play expansive, running rugby contained by Australia as they did not score a point in the final 62 minutes of the fixture in Johannesburg. "We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact on a few of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia last week, so we made a few changes that we believe will offer us what we need for this game," Erasmus said. "Damian and Cheslin have also recovered from their injuries, and with their experience and knowledge of the Wallabies, it was a logical choice to recall them. "We let ourselves and the country down, so we have all the motivation we need to make things right this week." SOUTH AFRICA (v AUSTRALIA) 15–Willie le Roux, 14–Canan Moodie, 13–Jesse Kriel, 12–Damian de Allende, 11–Cheslin Kolbe, 10–Handre Pollard, 9–Grant Williams, 8–Jean-Luc du Preez, 7–Franco Mostert, 6–Marco van Staden, 5–Ruan Nortje, 4–RG Snyman, 3–Thomas du Toit, 2–Malcolm Marx, 1–Ox Nche Replacements: 16–Marnus van der Merwe, 17–Boan Venter, 18–Wilco Louw, 19–Eben Etzebeth, 20–Lood de Jager, 21–Kwagga Smith, 22–Cobus Reinach, 23–Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. South Africa have made 10 changes to their starting XV for the second Rugby Championship test against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday as coach Rassie Erasmus wields the axe following a shock 38-22 loss to the tourists in Johannesburg last weekend. Erasmus was left fuming by the manner of his side's capitulation at Ellis Park, as Australia scored 38 unanswered points after the Springboks had raced into a 22-0 lead, but fell apart in the second half. Only centre Jesse Kriel, halfback Grant Williams, loose forward Marco van Staden, hooker Malcolm Marx and prop Ox Nche keep their places. The Springboks have lost four players to injury from that test, including captain Siya Kolisi (knee) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (concussion), who would likely have started. Handre Pollard returns at five-eighth to provide a steadying hand, while Damian de Allende returns at inside centre to partner Kriel. Cheslin Kolbe is back from injury on the wing along with Canan Moodie, while experienced Willie le Roux, who recently won his 100th cap, is handed the fullback berth. Marx and Nche are joined in the front row by prop Thomas du Toit, while RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje make for a new lock pairing. Jean-Luc du Preez takes over at No.8, and Franco Mostert is the other flanker along with Van Staden. Erasmus has returned to a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on the bench, which suggests his side will play a tighter, forward-based game having seen their attempt to play expansive, running rugby contained by Australia as they did not score a point in the final 62 minutes of the fixture in Johannesburg. "We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact on a few of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia last week, so we made a few changes that we believe will offer us what we need for this game," Erasmus said. "Damian and Cheslin have also recovered from their injuries, and with their experience and knowledge of the Wallabies, it was a logical choice to recall them. "We let ourselves and the country down, so we have all the motivation we need to make things right this week." SOUTH AFRICA (v AUSTRALIA) 15–Willie le Roux, 14–Canan Moodie, 13–Jesse Kriel, 12–Damian de Allende, 11–Cheslin Kolbe, 10–Handre Pollard, 9–Grant Williams, 8–Jean-Luc du Preez, 7–Franco Mostert, 6–Marco van Staden, 5–Ruan Nortje, 4–RG Snyman, 3–Thomas du Toit, 2–Malcolm Marx, 1–Ox Nche Replacements: 16–Marnus van der Merwe, 17–Boan Venter, 18–Wilco Louw, 19–Eben Etzebeth, 20–Lood de Jager, 21–Kwagga Smith, 22–Cobus Reinach, 23–Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Bruised Boks change 10 for Australia Cape Town clash
South Africa have made 10 changes to their starting XV for the second Rugby Championship test against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday as coach Rassie Erasmus wields the axe following a shock 38-22 loss to the tourists in Johannesburg last weekend. Erasmus was left fuming by the manner of his side's capitulation at Ellis Park, as Australia scored 38 unanswered points after the Springboks had raced into a 22-0 lead, but fell apart in the second half. Only centre Jesse Kriel, halfback Grant Williams, loose forward Marco van Staden, hooker Malcolm Marx and prop Ox Nche keep their places. The Springboks have lost four players to injury from that test, including captain Siya Kolisi (knee) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (concussion), who would likely have started. Handre Pollard returns at five-eighth to provide a steadying hand, while Damian de Allende returns at inside centre to partner Kriel. Cheslin Kolbe is back from injury on the wing along with Canan Moodie, while experienced Willie le Roux, who recently won his 100th cap, is handed the fullback berth. Marx and Nche are joined in the front row by prop Thomas du Toit, while RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje make for a new lock pairing. Jean-Luc du Preez takes over at No.8, and Franco Mostert is the other flanker along with Van Staden. Erasmus has returned to a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on the bench, which suggests his side will play a tighter, forward-based game having seen their attempt to play expansive, running rugby contained by Australia as they did not score a point in the final 62 minutes of the fixture in Johannesburg. "We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact on a few of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia last week, so we made a few changes that we believe will offer us what we need for this game," Erasmus said. "Damian and Cheslin have also recovered from their injuries, and with their experience and knowledge of the Wallabies, it was a logical choice to recall them. "We let ourselves and the country down, so we have all the motivation we need to make things right this week." SOUTH AFRICA (v AUSTRALIA) 15–Willie le Roux, 14–Canan Moodie, 13–Jesse Kriel, 12–Damian de Allende, 11–Cheslin Kolbe, 10–Handre Pollard, 9–Grant Williams, 8–Jean-Luc du Preez, 7–Franco Mostert, 6–Marco van Staden, 5–Ruan Nortje, 4–RG Snyman, 3–Thomas du Toit, 2–Malcolm Marx, 1–Ox Nche Replacements: 16–Marnus van der Merwe, 17–Boan Venter, 18–Wilco Louw, 19–Eben Etzebeth, 20–Lood de Jager, 21–Kwagga Smith, 22–Cobus Reinach, 23–Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
