Racing fans could witness another remarkable achievement this weekend as Overpass lines up in pursuit of a third consecutive victory in The Quokka, Western Australia’s richest race.
The six-year-old has an unblemished record at Ascot over the 1200m journey, having claimed two previous wins in The Quokka and another pair of triumphs in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes.
This year, trainer Bjorn Baker has opted for a different preparation. Rather than launching Overpass into The Quokka first-up like in previous campaigns, the gelding will enter second-up, following a narrow defeat to Briasa in the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick earlier this month.
“I’m looking forward to getting back over there,” Baker said ahead of his flight to Perth.
“It has become my second home at the back end of autumn and summer.”
“Overpass travelled over really well and we’ve followed a similar routine over the last couple of years.”
“I don’t think he overdid it in the TJ and he looks to have come through it pretty well.”
“If anything, he looks better and staying at Simon Miller’s stable, everything is replicated to a degree.”
Baker believes Ascot’s layout and Overpass’s natural ability to maintain a strong tempo suit each other perfectly.
“The great thing about him is that he has a high cruising speed so he is able to jump and travel, and absorb pressure which he has done very well,” Baker said.
“Even though he’d won two Quokkas and Winterbottoms, I thought his last Winterbottom win was amazing.”
“He had to absorb pressure the whole way and I thought we were in a lot of trouble at the 600 metre mark. I thought, arguably, that was his best ever win.”
Overpass has been a consistent favourite in markets for the $5 million feature, and while Baker believes in his horse, he knows better than to get complacent.
“He definitely likes it over there and he has been a touch underrated even by myself and the team,” he said.
“I think if anything, often he looks really, really well come Winterbottom time but last year I probably wasn’t as happy as I have been. This time he looks better.”
Overpass currently heads the all-in betting at $2.30, ahead of Headwall ($6), trained by Matthew Smith, and Front Page at $8.
“You’re always wary of who is in the field. Headwall is there and Front Page is a good horse who is up on speed, and then the locals, so we’re not taking it for granted,” Baker added.
“But I think he is going well and he has been a dream horse.”