Bjorn Baker can rattle off a list of reasons Overpass is a superior horse to the one that finished midfield in The Everest twelve months ago and they are fuelling his confidence the horse is a live chance.
The five-year-old was sixth and less than three lengths from winner Giga Kick last year, however his appearance in Saturday’s renewal will be under much different circumstances.
Not only has Overpass subsequently undergone a gelding procedure, he will also go into Saturday’s $20 million race off a less rushed preparation.
Chosen for a slot following his courageous first-up second to Private Eye in the Shorts (1100m) last month, his relatively early selection allowed Baker to space his runs, an approach the New Zealand-born trainer said the horse had proven to thrive upon.
“He’s had four weeks going into this year’s Everest as opposed to two weeks last year, I think that will definitely help him,” Baker said.
“He’s run his best races a little bit fresh, four weeks’ break should give him that little bit of freshness in his legs so hopefully he can get out and roll along.
“He’s got a track to suit – we’re getting some of our famous (dry) Sydney weather back which is good – and the four-weeks in between.
“He’s had the ultimate gear change too. The old saying, another Aussie gelded couldn’t a bad thing and I stick by that.”
Overpass shapes as the natural leader in The Everest (1200m) and his chances have been enhanced by a low draw in barrier two.
But while a lack of early pressure often means the pacemaker will try to cart the field along at a pedestrian tempo, Baker says that won’t be the case with Overpass and his jockey Josh Parr.
“He’s got a high cruising speed and we want to take advantage of it,” he said.
“If it turns into a real sprint home we’ll be disadvantaged, so he’s (Parr) got to get those sectionals right, but he knows the horse, he’s been on him a lot and he’s got a lot of confidence going into the race. That gives me confidence.
“I think he can go to a career peak and if he does that, he’s in the race.”
Overpass was a $10 chance for The Everest on Wednesday with Think About It holding favouritism at $4.60.
I Wish I Win ($4.50 to $5.50) has continued to drift with Aussie betting agencies since drawing the rails on Tuesday night while In Secret has been the big firmer, backed into $12 after she was as much as $21 on Wednesday morning.