It might be a case of out of sight, out of mind, but Bjorn BakerĀ hasnāt given up hope of OverpassĀ joining stablemate Stefi MagneticaĀ in the $20 million The Everest.
An outstanding fresh performer who has twice claimed the scalp of Ameliaās Jewel in The Quokka first-up, Overpass hasnāt 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.
āIf he made The Everest, weād be delighted to go in,ā Baker said.
āI think weāve got some unfinished business.
āHe is extremely good fresh and I think you can argue heās going better than ever and his form is as consistent as any sprinter in Australia, with the one exception being last yearās Everest.ā
Overpass continued his build-up with an exhibition gallop between races at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Regular rider Josh ParrĀ partnered him in the workout and Baker said the horse was likely to have one more trial before his return.
āFrom what weāve seen at home, he is probably slightly ahead of where he needs to be, so weāll be able to mimic what weāve done before,āā Baker said.
āWe 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.
āIām thrilled with him. He is doing everything very well at this stage.
āHe has been very lightly raced and I think that has held him in good stead. Heās six, you can argue heās still getting to his best.ā
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 MeĀ in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick.