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.
Ridden by Josh Parr for Bjorn Baker, the 6-year-old son of Vancouver, took up his normal front-running role. He had the chasing pack off the bit of chasing around the home turn.
Under a hand ride, Overpass defeated Coal Crusher (Turffontein) by one and a half lengths, with Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon) three-quarters of a length back in third.
Overpass advances his record to nine wins and five seconds from 27 starts with earnings of $8,868,000.
Bjorn Baker said the son of Vancouver would have been competitive in The Everest.
"We were pushing hard to get him in. It's a pretty good consolation," he said.
"I thought this was a Group 1 race in everything but status. It was a stacked field, and he's some sort of horse, this guy.
"Darby racing has been amazing. This is my horse that keeps punching every autumn, every spring. Without a horse like him, times can get very tough very quickly.
"So, it's very great for my team. He's done a great job. I thought he was absolutely spot on today. He had a smooth preparation.
"He's been very lightly raced. The one blemish on his record was this day last year. Maybe we can put it right next year."
"It's his first win at Randwick, but he has run some mighty races. The race he finished behind Nature Strip - the world's best sprinter, only beaten a length and a half. He's just a superstar. He always puts in.
"I was tempted to run him a little bit earlier, but it has worked out. It's a great result for the owners. He's just been a marvellous horse. And from all the team back home, they've done a great job.
"We just had him spot on today. I emphasised that everywhere I went. Trainers can handle the truth carelessly from time to time. There's no doubt I was after an Everest slot, and maybe I'm handling the truth too carelessly because the boy who cried wolf is spot on today.
"He may not quite be a champion, but he's our champion today. He's made me a better trainer. He's made me understand patience. Josh gets on with him so well.
"He’s got a great preparation ahead. We might look at Melbourne now. He really had to work across them and he was dominant.”
Darby Racing / Will Johnson Bloodstock purchased Overpass for $75,000 from the Corumbene Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale Round 2.
He is the best of five winners from as many to race for the winning Exceed and Excel mare Walkway, whose dam Boardwalk Bell (Bellotto) is a half-sister to 9-time Group 1 winner Northerly.
After foaling a full sister to Overpass last spring, Walkaway foaled a Stay Inside colt on September 15.
A Golden Slipper-winning son of Medaglia d’Oro (USA), Vancouver stands at Woodside Park Stud for $9,900.
