Vancouver's Overpass Claims $4million The Quokka

Mark Smith - Saturday April 15

The biggest prize in Australia on Saturday, the inaugural $4,000,000 The Quokkka at Ascot, proved worthy of the build-up when Overpass clung to a desperate short-half-head margin over local idol Amelia’s Jewel.

Overpass hangs on. Tough beat for Amelia's Jewel (image Western Racepix)

Ridden by Josh Parr for Bjorn Baker, Overpass was always in the firing line while Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) and third-placed Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) were rocketing home from the tail of the field.

The 4yo son of Vancouver was making his first start of 2023 after a busy spring in which he ran in The Shorts, Premiere Stakes, The Everest, Golden Eagle, and The Hunter.    

Advertisement

Despite winning just one stakes race, the 2022 Group II ATC Expressway Stakes, the Darby Racing colourbearer has banked $3,692,400 from a record of six wins and three seconds from 21 starts.

That is a good return on the $75,000 outlaid by  Darby Racing / Will Johnson Bloodstock for the son of Vancouver from the Corumbene Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale Round 2.

Both trainer and jockey thought they had been beaten.

 “What a thrill to win the inaugural Quokka, with such huge prizemoney on offer,” Parr said.

“I had a horse that was immaculately prepared for me. I was able to find the front on a horse that dictated terms and was always going to be difficult to run down.

There's going to be some sore heads tomorrow (image Western Racepix)

“He got a bit lost on the home turn but dug deep for me. I could hear them coming and thought I had lost the race. I thought it was a hometown yell from the crowd. It was only when his name went up that I knew I had won.”

Bred by Corumbene Stud, Overpass is the best of four winners from the winning Exceed and Excel mare Walkway, who comes from the family of Australian Horse of the Year Northerly.

Walkway has a 2yo colt by Menari named Inca Trail and a yearling colt by Capitalist. After missing in 2021, Walkaway visited Vancouver last year.

After beginning his career at Coolmore Stud, Golden Slipper winner Vancouver now stands at Woodside Stud.  

Always going to be the first winner of The Quokka (image Western Racepix)

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Overpass Triumphs in Winterbottom Stakes - First Group 1 for Vancouver
While it might not match the adulation for his close relative Northerly, the Vancouver speedball Overpass is building a huge fan club in the west after adding Saturday’s $1,500,000 Group 1 Crown Perth - Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot to his success in the $4,000,000 The Quokka.
A Second Quokka Triumph for Overpass
It was worth $1,000,000 more than last year, but the result was the same: the Vancouver gelding Overpass relegates the local star Amelia's Jewel to second in the $5,000,000 The Kia Quokka at Ascot on Saturday.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Overpass Defends His Title in Winterbottom Stakes
The freak, Overpass, kept his Ascot record at a perfect four for four with another pulsating performance when defending his title in Saturday’s  $1,500,000 Group 1 MCA Polytrack - Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
Another Valuable Prize for Vancouver's Overpass
Making his first outing since his triumph in the $5,000,000 The Kia Quokka at Ascot in April, Darby Racing's money-making machine Overpass had another thoroughly enjoyable day out in Saturday's $2,000,000 Toyota Forklifts Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.