Jimmy The Bear and Trever set for Flemington Finals Day

Billy Egan will be back in the saddle for Jimmy The Bear's Winter Championship defence on Saturday, reclaiming the reins for the Listed final at Flemington.

The Patrick Payne-trained gelding will have Egan, a familiar partner, guiding him in the $200,000 event.

It will be the first time Egan has ridden Jimmy The Bear this year. He last partnered the horse in the Kensington Stakes on New Year's Eve and has been closely following his progress despite not being aboard.

"I galloped with him on Tuesday morning at Werribee – Patrick rode him and I rode his stablemate, but he worked good," Egan confirmed.

"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."

As was the case last year, Jimmy The Bear began his campaign at Caulfield in early May and finalised his Winter Championship preparations in The David Bourke (1620m) at Flemington.

This year, he had only one additional start prior to the final, a winning effort over 1600m at Caulfield on May 30, compared to two runs in between in 2025.

The son of Jimmy Creed will carry 60kg for Saturday's race, an increase of 1kg from the previous year, as he aims to become the second horse, after Glaneuse, to win the 1600m race consecutively. The race was initially run in 1980.

"He's pretty highly rated now, so he deserves to carry the weight," Egan remarked about the 13-time winner.

"He's a big horse and he's proven he can carry the weight."

Jimmy The Bear received barrier one for the Winter Championship Final. In contrast, his younger half-brother and stablemate Clevor Trever drew the second-widest gate in the 13-horse Silver Bowl Final, which concludes the day's racing.

The Omaha Beach three-year-old also carries 60kg for his first attempt at the 1600m distance. Egan acknowledges the challenge but believes the colt is capable.

"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 noted.

"He's probably got a few more obstacles to overcome, but he's in really good form."

Egan's other rides for trainer Patrick Payne on Finals Day include Bold Soul in the $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m) and Falset Star in the $175,000 Listed A R Creswick Stakes (1200m).

Explore the latest racing odds and betting markets for the Winter Championship Final with top online bookmakers.