Overpass to use Premiere Stakes as Everest springboard
Fresh from the high of securing an Everest slot for Overpass, Bjorn Baker believes his four-year-old is set for another impressive performance before the world’s richest race on turf.
The star sprinter won both his trials in comfortable fashion in high-class company last month, before a gallant second to the great Nature Strip first-up in the Shorts (1100m) on September 17.
This is why Baker believes he is set for another big showing in the $1 million Group 2 Premiere Stakes over 1200m at Randwick.
It could be the perfect lead-in to the $15 million feature over the same distance.
“He looks fantastic – I couldn’t have him looking any better,” Baker told Sky Racing when asked about his $6.50 winning chance with Ladbrokes for this Saturday.
“He’s just glowing at the moment. His work has been very, very good since (the Shorts).
“He’s never been the greatest worker, but he’s stepped up another level in terms of his work.
“And it’s just really exciting.”
Baker deliberately had his stallion forward for both his trials in order to be in great shape for the Shorts, and to impress potential slot holders for the Everest.
He achieved both, with owners Darby Racing and slot-holder James Kennedy striking up a deal that will see the four-year-old contest the lucrative sprint feature also at Randwick.
“He had two nicely-spaced trials and I thought he was ready to run a good race first-up, no doubt about it,” Baker said of his $13 chance for the Everest.
“But I just think he’s going to be better at 1200, and I think he’ll still improve off that first-up run.
“I’m thrilled to be here. It’s very exciting. Big thanks to James Kennedy and Darby Racing and my team, and of course (jockey Rachel King) who has done a lot of work on him recently.”
Like Baker, King believes Overpass can use the Premiere Stakes as a springboard to have him ready to push the likes of Nature Strip, Lost And Running, Jacquinot and Eduardo on Everest Day.
“He certainly put his hand up for this kind of race (from his first-up performance in the Shorts), and it’s great for the team to have a runner in a race like this,” she said.
“I’m really looking forward to the day.
“His trials were great and his trackwork had been fantastic.
“I knew there was improvement to come. He wasn’t 100 per cent and we left a bit in the tank.
“But I was also very confident he’d be putting his hand up and running a huge race.”