Overpass has remained undefeated in Western Australia after adding a second Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes success to his two Quokka victories in the last two years.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding jumped as a drifting favourite with horse racing bookmakers at $3.20, with some punters doubting him after drawing barrier 16 of 16 at Ascot on Saturday afternoon.
A lot of speed was expected in the 2024 Winterbottom Stakes, and that was exactly what we got, as Bravo Centurion ($16) sped clear early to lead Overpass, Snowdome ($51) and Lady Laguna ($3.90), who kicked up from their inside barriers.
Turning for home, Joshua Parr had a good hold on the eventual winner, and he took over quickly to boot two lengths clear at the 300m mark from Lady Laguna and Hot Zed ($126), who railed through before the turn.
Overpass continued to find under Parr, and he raced out to a three-length and unassailable lead by the 200m mark, putting the race to bed with relative ease.
One of the unlucky runners in the race was the Grahame Begg-trained Maharba ($9.50), who missed the kick by a length and flashed home through the pack to finish an unlucky runner-up.
2024 Winterbottom Stakes replay – Overpass
Bjorn Baker was on course to speak about the victory post-race.
“I thought he was super, super brave,” Baker said.
“Thank you to all of my team at home; we have had a great day.
“I don’t know if we can call him a champion, but he is getting very close.
“He’s been super consistent, and he has probably had one or two runs off, but I guess it didn’t quite work out that day (at Flemington), and maybe one or two things went against him.
“Great city and it’s a great race.
“I’m very grateful to be here.”
Joshua Parr was elated with the victory post-race, and he was quick to compliment the winner.
“He is just an absolute marvel; he keeps showing up, and I adore him,” Parr said of Overpass.
“Exactly right. He is such an easy horse to trust, you can bang him out of the barriers, you can put him on speed, and he will let go.
“I must say, this track today is absolute perfection… so well done to the team here.
“The only thing that concerned me about the race was if I jumped half a length slower than Bravo Centurion.
“But Overpass actually just scrambled slightly out of the barrier, and he was on the back foot, and so I needed that card across to get to the front.
“There were stables saying all they were interested in was drawing inside of Overpass and all this nonsense, but he just turned up and smashed them again.”
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