Bjorn Baker has the durable sprinter Overpass, unlikely to chase a third Quokka success out West, meticulously readied for his seasonal bow as a seven-year-old gelding.

Overpass instead lines up for a third bid in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) come Saturday at Randwick, after fifth to Nature Strip in 2022 and second to Briasa in the previous edition.

His first-up ledger stands impressively at 4 wins with 4 further placings across 10 goes, prompting Baker to apply rigorous measures for the seasoned Vancouver gelding whose prizemoney exceeds $12 million.

Two powerful trials have been administered to Overpass, culminating in a 1050m hit-out on March 27th ridden hands and heels, aimed at peaking him for the $3 million spectacle.

“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.”

This season’s Australian sprint division lacks a standout star, leaving Baker optimistic of claiming the TJ Smith should Randwick firm for Day 1 of ‘The Championships’ under expected warm spells.

“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.”

The stable of Bjorn Baker extends to the card’s other trio of Group 1s, with Green Spaces eyeing the Australian Derby, Pericles the Futurity Stakes winner in the Doncaster Mile, plus Paradoxium tackling the Inglis Sires.

Secure value with racing betting markets ahead of the 2026 TJ Smith Stakes.