It has taken a while for Overdue to have his first start in Sydney and Albury-trained gelding is making up for lost time.
The durable six-year-old had raced exclusively in country NSW since he began his career in 2014 until trainer Kym Davison brought him to Warwick Farm early last month.
Three starts later Overdue won at Albury, a run that earned him a trip to Rosehill for Saturday’s $100,000 Country Classic (2000m).
Davison said the race for country-trained horses was always on the radar this campaign, although it took apprentice Stacey Metcalfe’s astute ride in a Benchmark 65 Handicap (1600m) at Albury to finalise the plans.
“We were at a bit of a crossroads but his last run showed he was back somewhere near his best,” Davison said.
“He’s a horse that’s got to get to the outside in his races and his next two starts (after Warwick Farm) the jockeys didn’t do that.
“He was ridden in the correct manner last start. He stormed home and was quite impressive.”
Davison has booked another apprentice, Wagga-based Rebeka Prest, to ride Overdue who starts from barrier two.
“From the 1000 (metres) he’ll be endeavouring to get on the back of something to cart us into the race and then have the last crack at them,” Davison said.
“I don’t think he’ll disgrace himself although they’ve got him out at huge odds.”
Overdue was at $41 on Friday with Miss Dubois, one of four runners for Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn, the TAB’s $3.40 favourite.
