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Overpass resumes with Sydney Stakes win

Overpass has resumed with a dominant win in an eventful Sydney Stakes at Randwick

OVERPASS.
OVERPASS. Picture: Steve Hart

Bjorn Baker's disappointment in not securing an Everest slot with Overpass was eased when the proven fresh performer claimed a pretty decent consolation with a brilliant win in an eventful $2 million Sydney Stakes at Randwick.

The trainer had aimed Overpass to resume on Saturday's program and had been hoping that would be in the $20 million Everest, in which he had Stefi Magnetica in that race.

But when Overpass did not secure a slot - having finished sixth and 10th in the past two runnings of the rich sprint - the gelding was instead set for the Sydney Stakes (1200m) over the same distance and he did not disappoint.

With regular jockey Josh Parr in the saddle, Overpass led and held off his challengers to defeat Coal Crusher by 1-1/2-lengths, with three-quarters of a length back to Manikato Stakes winner Southport Tycoon in third.

"He might not quite be a champion, but he's our champion," Baker said.

"He's Darby Racing's champion. He's been a remarkable horse for me. I've learned a lot from him, too.

"He's made me a better trainer. He's made me understand patience and Josh just gets on with him so, so well.

"He's still underrated but it was good to see him do that. Obviously I was trying to get him into the Everest, I thought he could get in there, but he's got a great preparation ahead."

There were concerning scenes during the race with last year's Everest winner Think About It, ridden by Jason Collett, suffering a bleeding attack and weakening out of the race on the home turn before collapsing at the top of the straight.

The horse was later walked from the track, with stewards providing an initial update on his condition.

"Think About It, which collapsed in Race 6 due to a bleeding attack, has recovered and is under veterinary care," a Racing NSW stewards statement said.

"J Collet was uninjured in the incident and has been cleared to fulfil his remaining engagements."

Baker indicated the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington would be the likely next step for Overpass before another trip to Perth to defend the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot at the end of November.

Along with last year's Winterbottom, Overpass has also won the first two editions of The Quokka in the west.

Baker would love to have another crack at The Everest with the sprinter next year.

"He's been very lightly raced and I guess his only blemish was on this day last year," he said.

"Maybe next year we can put that right."

Parr was full of praise for the sprinter, who took his record to nine wins from 27 starts.

He said his only concern coming into Saturday was the weather.

"But the rain didn't come and the track has been prepared perfectly and we've witnessed a really good sprinting performance," Parr said.

The jockey said he would love to win a Group 1 up the Flemington straight with Overpass next.

"He's definitely good enough, and then obviously Perth have been good to us so we're not going to turn our back on them," he said.

 


Racing and Sports

Randwick

Saturday, 19th October 2024

6
ET

TOYOTA FORKLIFTS SYDNEY STAKES (G3)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN
6 f TURF SOFT
6

(local)
AUD $2,001,500
6 f SOFT

TOYOTA FORKLIFTS SYDNEY STAKES (G3)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 1. OVERPASS (AUS) 6yo G
VANCOUVER (AUS) - WALKWAY (AUS)
JOSH PARR
BJORN BAKER
$5.5
58.5kg
S G Darby, J Georgatsoulis, P Halfhyde, T Kingston, W E Payne, Ms S G Wilson, B E Wright, Jimlee Racing (Mgr: Ms L Caff), Knuckleheads Racing (Mgr: M J Tylor), Darby Racing Walkway (Mgr: S G Darby), Cantbreakmystride (Mgr: M T Anderson) & Jacknife Racing (Mgr: T P Bolton)

Sales Information

2nd 8. COAL CRUSHER (AUS) 7yo G
TURFFONTEIN (AUS) - MEDIA ACADEMY (AUS)
CHAD SCHOFIELD
JOSEPH PRIDE
$61
58.5kg
Ms K M Pride, Surfing Cowboys (Mgr: Mrs S Arena) & Mrs S Arena
3rd 3. SOUTHPORT TYCOON (AUS) 4yo H
WRITTEN TYCOON (AUS) - READY TO RULE (USA)
MARK ZAHRA
CIARON MAHER
$4.6
58.5kg
Bennett Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: N P Bennett), R Menchise, Gaire Pty Ltd, Stallion Match, M V Broadhead, M Ellis, J G Falcke, Mrs D Broadhead, Walnickiglider, B J Molloy, B Woonton, Bennett Ready to Rule, B J Britten, A D Stanley, J M Simmons, Australian Bloodstock & Whitegate Pastoral

Sales Information

4th 5. KING OF SPARTA (AUS) 6yo G
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - OCTAVIA (AUS)
JAMES MCDONALD
PETER SNOWDEN
$11
58.5kg

Sales Information

5th 6. MAZU (AUS) 6yo G
MAURICE (JPN) - CHATELAINE (AUS)
NASH RAWILLER
JOSEPH PRIDE
$7
58.5kg

Sales Information

6th 16. LADY LAGUNA (AUS) 5yo M
OVERSHARE (AUS) - CATALINA DE LAGO (NZ)
TYLER SCHILLER
ANNABEL NEASHAM & ROB ARCHIBALD
$19
56.5kg
7th 4. AIRMAN (AUS) 5yo G
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - ZARA BAY (AUS)
ZAC LLOYD
M, W & J HAWKES
$21
58.5kg

Sales Information

8th 14. CABALLUS (AUS) 4yo H
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - CALMING INFLUENCE (AUS)
CRAIG WILLIAMS
BJORN BAKER
$61
58.5kg

Sales Information

9th 17. CLIMBING STAR (NZ) 5yo M
ZOUSTAR (AUS) - BRYONY (AUS)
DANIEL STACKHOUSE
PHILLIP STOKES
$17
56.5kg

Sales Information

10th 9. ARKANSAW KID (AUS) 4yo G
HARRY ANGEL (IRE) - FLORABELLA (AUS)
BLAKE SHINN
BEN, WILL & JD HAYES
$7
58.5kg

Sales Information

11th 13. ASTERO (AUS) 7yo G
ZOUSTAR (AUS) - LACEY LOU (AUS)
JAY FORD
MATTHEW SMITH
$201
58.5kg

Sales Information

12th 10. HARD TO SAY (AUS) 5yo G
EXCEED AND EXCEL (AUS) - MALASUN (AUS)
ASHLEY MORGAN
JASON DEAMER
$101
58.5kg

Sales Information

13th 12. ROCKETING BY (AUS) 7yo G
SO YOU THINK (NZ) - ACROSS THE MOON (AUS)
KERRIN MCEVOY
DAVID PFIEFFER
$101
58.5kg

Sales Information

14th 18. MUMBAI MUSE (AUS) 4yo M
ZOUSTAR (AUS) - MUMBAI ROCK (AUS)
TOMMY BERRY
MICHAEL FREEDMAN
$19
56.5kg

Sales Information

15th 11. WILLIAMSBURG (AUS) 5yo G
SNITZEL (AUS) - FENWAY (AUS)
TOM SHERRY
BRETT CAVANOUGH
$151
58.5kg

Sales Information

16th 15. ATMOSPHERIC ROCK (AUS) 5yo G
YOUR SONG (AUS) - SPACE ODYSSEY (AUS)
NICK HEYWOOD
DANNY WILLIAMS
$201
58.5kg

Sales Information

17th 7. REMARQUE (AUS) 6yo G
SNITZEL (AUS) - RESPONSE (AUS)
JAMIE KAH
M, W & J HAWKES
$41
58.5kg

Sales Information

FF 2. THINK ABOUT IT (AUS) 6yo G
SO YOU THINK (NZ) - TIARE (AUS)
JASON COLLETT
JOSEPH PRIDE
$8.5
58.5kg

Sales Information