Overpass may have lost his unbeaten record in Western Australia, but connections are already plotting a return to Perth later this year for redemption in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
After contesting the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) this Saturday in Brisbane, the Winterbottom in November is back on the radar for the talented sprinter.
Overpass was dealt his first WA defeat when finishing fifth in last month’s Quokka (1200m) behind emerging local star Jokers Grin. It was a rare blemish for the son of Vancouver, who had previously dominated in both the Quokka and Winterbottom Stakes.
Scott Darby of Darby Racing admitted the loss stung but confirmed plans are already in motion for a return trip west. He acknowledged the second-up factor played a role, having run in the T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) just three weeks prior.
“We were naturally very disappointed,” Darby told Tabradio.
“We thought we could bypass his second up stat.
“That’s not going to happen in the future.
“He’s either going to have to be well and truly spaced between his first and second run, not that it was a bad run, but certainly below par.
“I think he puts in so much first up, he really puts in but probably leaves him a little bit flat second up.
“He sort of fires up again third up and that’s what his stats says, so we kinda of have to work around that now.
“We kinda of knew that going in, thinking the three weeks was going to be ok.
“We are dead set sure he needs a bigger space between runs, or you just have to target your main races first and third up.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, Darby is cautious given the prospect of a rain-affected track. Overpass has a poor record on heavy ground but will push ahead in the absence of alternative targets.
“Pretty low at the moment,” Darby said of his confidence.
“If you look at his record on a heavy track it’s duck eggs.
“Unfortunately, there’s no other race to go to.
“He’s not dead-set hopeless, but much, much better on top of the ground.
“Absolutely last start of the campaign before the paddock.
“He’ll get ready for either a Sydney Stakes or Everest and then onto the Winterbottom again.”
Overpass has drawn barrier 10 for the Doomben 10,000 and will be ridden by Joshua Parr. He is currently the $5.50 second favourite behind Sunshine In Paris at $4.60.
To follow Overpass in the Doomben 10,000 or futures markets for the Winterbottom Stakes and The Everest, explore top odds and promos at Australia’s leading betting sites.