Overpass has become a beloved visitor to Western Australia, and the seven-year-old is back again as he hunts an unprecedented third straight win in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes.

This latest trip marks his sixth journey to Ascot, where he has already claimed consecutive wins in The Quokka and the past two Winterbottom editions. His only Perth defeat came in this year’s Quokka, finishing fifth.

Racing manager Luke Hilton says Overpass arrives in exceptional order after finishing just 1½ lengths behind Ka Ying Rising in The Everest.

“It was probably the best run of his career,” Hilton said. “He came back, had a good trial the other day and he’s in really good form.”

The gelding travelled west alongside stablemate Iowna Merc, who contested the Railway Stakes. The pair could both feature again on December 13, with the Gold Rush a possible option for Overpass post-Winterbottom.

Interstate raiders have dominated the race in recent years, but no horse has ever secured a Winterbottom treble — a piece of history Overpass will attempt to rewrite.