Top sprinter Overpass was the dominant favourite for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot but it was fellow Sydneysider Libertad who caused a boilover.
Jockey Jamie Mott rode a perfect race on Libertad, stalking the leader Overpass throughout before taking advantage of the favourite rolling off the fence on the home turn and dashing up the inside.
Libertad raced through to join Overpass at the 200m and the pair went head and head to the line with the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained five-year-old scoring by a nose with Rey Magnerio finishing a half-length back in third.
Libertad had been solid in his three runs this preparation despite being unplaced and went into the Winterbottom off the back of a strong closing two length fourth behind Giga Kick in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington.
The Winterbottom win capped a remarkable day for the Archibald’s with four winners in three states.
Black Run was victorious at Caulfield while Midnight In Tokyo and Space Tracker won at Doomben.
Overpass was chasing for a piece of WA history with a third consecutive Winterbottom Stakes win.