The Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass added a second feature Ascot victory to his resume when claiming the $1.5 million Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
The winner of the inaugural edition of The Quokka proved a class above his rivals in WA’s only Group 1 sprint, defeating Oscar’s Fortune by 1.7l, with Ripcord in third.
The race favourite sat outside the early leader Savatoxl and assumed control of the race on the corner, surging clear, while scouting wide under a strong ride from Josh Parr.
He never looked under threat in a comfortable win which took his career earnings to $5.7 million.
Overpass came, saw and conquered the Winterbottom! 💪@JoshuaParr8 @BBakerRacing @Darby_Racing pic.twitter.com/VN8T47G2N7
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 2, 2023
"Four international superstars have won this race, Australian sprinting superstars," Baker said.
"Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Ortensia and Buffering (have won it) and to win this race is amazing.
"Josh Parr rode him like the best horse and he's a big race rider."
Baker's only instruction to Parr in the 1200-metre feature was to 'be positive' in the run and Parr did just that settling off the leaders.
"You have to utilise that early speed," Baker added and recalled Overpass' tenth placing in The Everest (1200m) in October
"I thought he could win The Everest and I'm not saying he was unlucky but I just don't know if he had his best day."
The $1.5 million event was the tenth win at the highest level for Parr.
"I watched race after race with horses sitting back and swooping in the middle of the track and, to be honest, it was starting to play on my mind," Parr said.
"So I'm really pleased to trust the horse's ability, to race forward and put the race to sleep."
It was a fifth Group 1 for Baker and comes after the recent victory of Ozzmosis in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Bred by Corumbene Stud, Overpass becomes the first Group 1 winner for now Woodside Park-based stallion Vancouver.