Overpass ran bravely and Asfoora was competitive but the Australian sprinters weren’t quite good enough in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien’s Mission Central was an outstanding winner and put himself into the conversation for a start in the $20 million The Everest at Royal Randwick on October 17.
Mission Central wins the King Charles III Stakes with Overpass placing 3rd! 👏 pic.twitter.com/2W7kHbb4Mc
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 16, 2026
If Mission Central is sent to Sydney he could clash again with Overpass who finished a close third at Royal Ascot.
“Overpass has gone amazing,” trainer Bjorn Baker said. “You dream about coming here and competing and he has gone great for myself, Darby Racing and the owners.
“He had no peace during the race and has gone great, I am very proud of him.
“He is not a champion but he is our champion.”
Jockey Josh Parr wasn’t making any excuses in defeat although he revealed the reason Overpass was not his usual brilliant self out of the barriers.
“He didn’t get the breakaway he usually gets,” Parr said.
“We were unable to have an attendant with us and stay with us (in the barriers) and it was just enough to put him off and take away from his concentration.
“So he stepped away a half length slower than usual and we weren’t able to break away into clear air, we were dictated to by horses either side of us.
“It was a really brave performance but to be so close leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.”
But Parr said the experience of riding at Royal Ascot was “second to none.”
“I struggle to put into words how exciting it has been,” Parr said.
Baker revealed consideration would be given to possibly backing up with Overpass in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot on Saturday.
“It’s a possibility he could back up,” Baker said. “The next few hours will be crucial to see how he has come through the race.
“But he has had a hard run today, he’s tried very hard and he did Australia proud.”
Asfoora, winner of the King Charles III Stakes two years ago, has been struggling in England this year but with the blinkers back on she ran an improved race for seventh.
Trainer Henry Dwyer said Asfoora has an entry for the July Cup at Newmarket although he conceded the mare isn’t as well suited at 1200m.
“She will be going home to go to stud at some stage soon,” Dwyer said.
“There is a 1000m race at Goodwood (King George Stakes) in six weeks but it’s a matter she is booked on a return flight to Australia.”
