It might be a case of out of sight, out of mind, but Bjorn Baker hasn’t given up hope of Overpass joining stablemate Stefi Magnetica in the $20 million The Everest.
An outstanding fresh performer who has twice claimed the scalp of Amelia’s Jewel in The Quokka first-up, Overpass hasn’t raced since capturing the Perth feature for the second time in April.
He is slated to resume at Randwick on October 19, either in The Everest (1200m) if he can gain a slot, or in the Sydney Stakes (1200m) on the undercard.
Overpass finished tenth in the Everest 12 months ago after earning his spot with a runner-up finish in The Shorts (1100m), but Baker said the sprinter was a different horse first-up.
“If he made The Everest, we’d be delighted to go in,” Baker said.
“I think we’ve got some unfinished business.
“He is extremely good fresh and I think you can argue he’s going better than ever and his form is as consistent as any sprinter in Australia, with the one exception being last year’s Everest.”
Overpass continued his build-up with an exhibition gallop between races at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Regular rider Josh Parr partnered him in the workout and Baker said the horse was likely to have one more trial before his return.
“From what we’ve seen at home, he is probably slightly ahead of where he needs to be, so we’ll be able to mimic what we’ve done before,”‘ Baker said.
“We will probably give him another trial on the fourth (of October) and possibly another race day experience two weeks before (his return), which tends to work pretty well for him.
“I’m thrilled with him. He is doing everything very well at this stage.
“He has been very lightly raced and I think that has held him in good stead. He’s six, you can argue he’s still getting to his best.”
Stefi Magnetica was earlier this week selected to represent the slot held by Newgate and GPI Racing following her slashing first-up second to I Am Me in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick.
