Overpass Defends His Title in Winterbottom Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday November 30

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.

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With regular rider Josh Parr in the saddle, the 6-year-old son of Vancouver was made to work from an outside barrier to sit outside the leader Bravo Centurion.

Given his head on straightening, Overpass set up a winning lead as he drifted out to the centre of the track.

The Pride Of Dubai gelding  Maharba was held up at a vital stage in the straight before rattling home to be beaten three-quarters of a length, with the 7-year-old Red Hot Choice gelding Hot Zed back in third.  

Overpass defends his title (image Western Racepix)

Overpass advances his record to ten wins and five seconds from 29 starts with earnings of $9,757,500.

It was a profitable day for the Baker stable after Arapaho (Fr) claimed the day’s feature, the $750,000, Group II Zipping Classic at Caulfield.

“That was a gutsy win. He had to absorb a heap of pressure early and I was very worried after 200 metres at how it was unfolding, Baker admitted.

Having the time of their lives (image Western Racepix)

“I thought he was super, super brave. I don't know if we can call him a champion, but he's getting very close.

“Massive shout out to Darby Racing, they're my biggest supporters.

“We've had a great day, one of the special days in racing.

Darby Racing / Will Johnson Bloodstock purchased Overpass for $75,000 from the Corumbene Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale Round 2.

Overpass a $75,000 Inglis Easter yearling

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.

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Race Result - MCA Polytrack - Winterbottom Stakes Gr1 1200m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:08.89
1
Overpass
- 6g Vancouver (AUS) x Walkway (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 58.5
Vancouver
2
0.8
Maharba
- 4g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Blizzardly (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 58.5
Pride Of Dubai
3
1.1
Hot Zed
- 7g Red Hot Choice (AUS) x Zedfire (AUS) (Zedrich (AUS))
Tnr: L P Luciani Rdr: J Whiting 58.5
4
1.8
Rope Them In
- 4g Playing God (AUS) x Lead Rope (AUS) (Real Jester (AUS))
Tnr: S J Wolfe Rdr: S Mc Gruddy 58.5
5
1.9
Rockin' Rupert
- 6g Winning Rupert (AUS) x Love The Rock (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: S & J Casey Rdr: Lucy Fiore 58.5
6
2.1
Lady Laguna
- 5m Overshare (AUS) x Catalina De Lago (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
7
2.4
Laced Up Heels
- 5m Toronado (IRE) x A City Girl (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: Joseph Azzopardi 56.5
8
4
Man Crush
- 5g Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Crushed (AUS) (All Too Hard (AUS))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 58.5
9
4.1
Western Empire
- 7g Iffraaj (GB) x Western Jewel (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 58.5
10
5.3
Saloon Bar
- 5g Sessions (AUS) x Paris Cracker (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: S Parnham 58.5
11
6.5
Red Can Man
- 8g Gingerbread Man (AUS) x Brocky's Ace (AUS) (Surtee (AUS))
Tnr: S J Wolfe Rdr: S O'Donnell 58.5
12
6.9
Snowdome
- 5g Rommel (AUS) x Snow Pixie (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: B Parnham 58.5
13
8.5
Crippalenko
- 5g Maschino (AUS) x Brookesmebaby (AUS) (Bletchley Park (IRE))
Tnr: Greg Beauglehole Rdr: P Carbery 58.5
14
8.7
Boots Like Bruce
- 7g Alfred Nobel (IRE) x Smithfields (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Ms A King Rdr: Alan Kennedy 58.5
15
9.2
Almighty Class
- 4g Playing God (AUS) x My Classy Lady (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: Mitchell Pateman Rdr: Jarrad Noske 58.5
16
13.1
Bravo Centurion
- 4g National Defense (GB) x Comme Ca (AUS) (Authorized (IRE))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: Chris Parnham 58.5
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