One of racing’s phenomena can add another chapter on Saturday as Overpass sets sights on a third win in as many editions of Western Australia’s richest race, The Quokka.
Four starts at Ascot have delivered two wins in the $5 million slot race feature over 1200-metres and a pair of victories in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) for a perfectly rich record at the track.
Bjorn Baker has taken a slightly different approach this time veering from starting in The Quokka first-up like he has over the past two years, and this time going in second-up after being collared on the line by Briasa in the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 5.
“I’m looking forward to getting back over there,” said Baker who makes his way to Perth today.
“It has become my second home at the back end of autumn and summer.
“Overpass travelled over really well and we’ve followed a similar routine over the last couple of years.
“I don’t think he overdid it in the TJ and he looks to have come through it pretty well.
“If anything, he looks better and staying at Simon Miller’s stable, everything is replicated to a degree.”
Perth has agreed with the gelding over the past couple of years and Baker identifies the dimensions of the Ascot circuit as something that has really suited the horse.
“The great thing about him is that he has a high cruising speed so he is able to jump and travel, and absorb pressure which he has done very well.
“Even though he’d won two Quokkas and Winterbottoms, I thought his last Winterbottom win was amazing,” he added of the six-year-old.
“He had to absorb pressure the whole way and I thought we were in a lot of trouble at the 600 (metre mark). I thought, arguably, that was his best ever win.
Overpass has been a solid main fancy throughout betting for the $5 million slot race feature and when Baker thinks more about assessing his chances it is a case of, not unlike nightclubs, not always taking a lead on looks.
“He definitely likes it over there and he has been a touch underrated even by myself and the team,” Baker said.
“I think if anything, often he looks really, really well come Winterbottom time but last year I probably wasn’t as happy as I have been. This time he looks better.”
Overpass is at $2.30 in all-in markets with the Matthew Smith-trained Headwall at $6 and Front Page at $8.
“You’re always wary of who is in the field. Headwall is there and Front Page is a good horse who is up on speed, and then the locals, so we’re not taking it for granted,” he added.
“But I think he is going well and he has been dream horse.”
