Evergreen sprinter Overpass is unlikely to travel West aiming for a third victory in The Quokka, but trainer Bjorn Baker has the seven-year-old primed to perform on debut.
Rather, the gelding is gearing up for his third shot at the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) this Saturday at Randwick, where he placed fifth in 2022 behind Nature Strip and runner-up last year to Briasa.
Boasting a strong fresh record of 4 wins and 4 placings from 10 outings, Baker recognises the veteran gelding requires thorough preparation and has spared no effort with the Vancouver gelding, who has earned more than $12 million in stakes.
Baker has provided Overpass with a pair of solid trials, including the most recent over 1050m on March 27th when urged along, specifically to ensure he’s sharp enough for the $3 million feature.
“He’s in really good order. As we know, he’s great first-up,” Baker said.
“The track definitely didn’t suit him in that trial, but Josh says he’s going as well as ever.
“We’re just mindful as he gets older, a bit stronger and bigger every preparation, we’ve got to make sure he’s that little bit fitter and we do that touch more.
“He’s had a couple of good trials, a gallop away from home. We’ll give him an easy gallop on Tuesday and into the T J.”
Without a dominant force in Australian sprinting this campaign, Baker eyes a potential upset in the TJ Smith, particularly should conditions firm up at Randwick for Day 1 of ‘The Championships’ amid forecast warm weather.
“The firmer the track, probably the better, but he can get through a softish track as well,” Baker said.
“If you look at his first-up runs in recent campaigns, he was a very good fourth in the Everest. In the T J Smith last year he was second first-up as well.”
Bjorn Baker will also have strong contenders in the remaining three Group 1 races on Saturday, featuring Australian Derby hopeful Green Spaces, Futurity Stakes victor Pericles in the Doncaster Mile, and Paradoxium in the Inglis Sires.
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