While evergreen sprinter Overpass likely won’t head West in search of third win in The Quokka, Bjorn Baker is ensuring the seven-year-old is ready to fire first up.
Instead, Overpass will have his third attempt at the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Randwick, a race he finished fifth in 2022 to Nature Strip and second in last year to Briasa.
With an imposing first up record of 4 wins and 4 placings from 10 starts, Baker is mindful that the older gelding needs a bit of work and has left no stone unturned with the son of Vancouver, who has amassed over $12 million in prize money.
Baker has fitted Overpass with two strong trials, the latest over 1050m on March 27th when ridden out, deliberately to have him forward enough for Saturday’s $3 million contest.
“He’s in really good order. As we know, he’s great first-up,” Baker said.
“The track definitely didn’t suit him in that trial, but Josh says he’s going as well as ever.
“We’re just mindful as he gets older, a bit stronger and bigger every preparation, we’ve got to make sure he’s that little bit fitter and we do that touch more.
“He’s had a couple of good trials, a gallop away from home. We’ll give him an easy gallop on Tuesday and into the T J.”
With no standout in the Australian sprinting ranks this season, Baker is hoping to pinch the T J Smith, especially if the ground dries out at Randwick for Day 1 of ‘The Championships’, with warm weather predicted during the week.
“The firmer the track, probably the better, but he can get through a softish track as well,” Baker said.
“If you look at his first-up runs in recent campaigns, he was a very good fourth in the Everest. In the T J Smith last year he was second first-up as well.”
Bjorn Baker will also be well represented across the other three Group One’s on Saturday’s card, with leading Australian Derby chance Green Spaces, Futurity Stakes winner Pericles in the Doncaster Mile, and Paradoxium in the Inglis Sires.
