Sometimes in life, somethings never change.
In racing, that one hundred percent applies to Overpass.
Another trip west for the star sprinter and it will be another trip home lumping rich prizemoney on his back yet again.
Four times he’s been to Ascot; four times he’s been a winner. Two Quokka’s, two Winterbottom Stakes, Perth truly is the golden west for Overpass
The son of Vancouver added another $822,000 to his bank account and a second Group 1 to his racing cv with victory in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) today.
After defeating local hope Oscar’s Fortune 12-months ago, Overpass came back to his favourite race track and gave an encore performance.
In a rinse and repeat of last year’s heroics, Overpass sat outside of the leader, this time pouring the pressure on Bravo Centurion from the 600m
As expected, Bravo Centurion crossed and led from barrier 15, but it took a toll and as expected Overpass followed and hovered from gate 16.
With his regular sidekick, Joshau Parr in the saddle, Overpass loomed ominously and at the top of the straight he went for home.
As is his want when racing at Ascot, Overpass moved to the centre of the track in the run home, but the race was in the bag and he won easily.
Maharba’s jockey Jordan Childs and trainer Grahame Begg might have been thinking what if after the four-year-old missed the start.
He exploded late from the back of the field, but was never a serious chance of running down the winner, going down by 3/4 of a length.
A neck away third was Hot Zed, who ran a bolter at big odds, finishing ahead of Rope Them In for fourth.
Bravo Centurion, who had to do it the hard way from a wide draw, faded to last.
Overpass was sent out clear-cut $2.70 betting sites favourite, punters keen to stick despite a query over his last start in Melbourne when unplaced in the Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington three weeks ago.
Baker is not certain where Overpass sits in the list of Australian sprinters, but believes he can’t be too far away from the top.
“It’s one of the special days in Australian racing,” Baker said.
“He’s just a very, very special horse and Josh (Parr) gets on with him very well.
“I had a bad week last week, but I enjoyed this thoroughly.
“I don’t know if we can call him a champion, but he’s getting very close.”
Overpass made it a big interstate double for Baker after Arapaho won the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield.
Parr said Baker’s preparation and management of Overpass has been amazing
“Bjorn is a magnificent trainer in preparing this horse,” Parr said.
“He’s got the absolute right key to it.”
The 2025 Quokka, Perth’s richest race at $5 million, is held at Ascot on April 26.
Baker would have it locked in his diary already.
